Why are we Always Talking about Crossing Midline?
- Marie Miller, MT-BC, NMT
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
Why are we always talking about crossing midline?
Because crossing our midline builds the connection & communication between the left & right hemispheres of the brain!
The corpus callosum is made up of nerve fibers and connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain. This communication is essential for many every day tasks!
The corpus callosum helps to coordinate motor tasks. It allows us to use both sides of our body together and helps us with motor learning.
The corpus callosum helps us coordinate sensory tasks and also plays a role in speech production and comprehension.
We can strengthen the connection through cross-lateral movements! We write cross-lateral movements into all of our movement songs. Another great way to encourage cross-lateral movement is by using an instrument, like a paddle drum, as a target. In all of our music therapy sessions we include many opportunities for our students to cross midline to activate and organize the brain, build attention, and build the connection and communication between the two hemispheres of our brains! We love using music because it activates our motor system, getting us moving and helping to prime and time our movements! Songs also provide a wonderful musical container, creating a structured and predictable way to build this skill!
We can strengthen bilateral coordination through instruments that use two hands separately, and movement songs that target moving hands separately (clapping, patting, rolling hands, hand jive, etc.). Rolling hands and hand jive movements also cross midline!
The corpus callosum is often larger in people who play instruments!
Here are a few fascinating articles about the corpus callosum:
(quick overview and function from The Cleveland Clinic)
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