Bilateral Coordination

Using both sides of the body together, sometimes doing the same thing and sometimes doing different jobs.

What Bilateral Coordination Means

Bilateral coordination is using both sides of the body together in a smooth way. Sometimes both hands do the same thing, like clapping. Sometimes each hand has a different job, like one hand holding a jar while the other twists the lid.

How It Supports Daily Activities

  • Gathering a shirt with both hands before pulling it over the head.
  • Holding a bowl steady while stirring.
  • Stabilizing paper with one hand while drawing or cutting with the other.

Three Starter Activities

Pick one that fits your child today. Offer choices, adjust as you go, and stop whenever your child wants a break.

Activity 1: Two-Hand Dough Roll

Materials

  • Playdough
  • A small rolling pin or a cylinder-shaped block
  • Cookie cutters (optional)

Simple steps

  1. Offer the dough and the rolling pin.
  2. Show how both hands can roll the pin together.
  3. Invite the child to roll the dough flat, using both hands in their own way.
  4. Press a cookie cutter into the dough with one hand while the other holds the dough steady.
  5. Peel the shape off and talk about what each hand did.

Easier version

Roll a snake with both palms instead, or use a larger rolling tool.

Harder version

Cut out several shapes, with one hand holding the dough and the other lifting each shape.

Activity 2: Jar Lid Twist

Materials

  • A few small jars or plastic containers with screw-on lids
  • Small safe objects to hide inside, such as pom-poms
  • A tray to work on

Simple steps

  1. Put an object in each jar and loosely screw on the lids.
  2. Show how one hand holds the jar still while the other twists the lid.
  3. Invite the child to open each jar to find what is inside.
  4. Screw the lids back on together as a second round.
  5. Offer a break any time the child wants one.

Easier version

Leave the lids very loose, or use jars with wide, easy-grip lids.

Harder version

Tighten the lids a bit more, or use smaller jars.

Activity 3: Drum Together

Materials

  • A drum, upside-down bucket, or pot
  • Two spoons or soft mallets
  • Music the child enjoys (optional)

Simple steps

  1. Sit across from the child, or beside them, with a drum each.
  2. Tap with both hands together a few times.
  3. Try alternating, one hand then the other, and let the child set the pace.
  4. Invite the child to show you a pattern for you to copy.
  5. Stop when the child's interest changes.

Easier version

Use both hands together on a large drum, with no pattern to follow.

Harder version

Copy a short pattern, such as left, left, right.

Practice Respectfully

  • Offer choices, such as which activity, which materials, or what comes first.
  • Take breaks anytime, and let your child end an activity.
  • Offer only the help your child accepts, and step back if they would rather try alone.
  • Never require eye contact or touch. Sitting beside your child and sharing attention on the same object counts as taking part.
  • Supervise any activity with small parts, and choose materials that suit your child's age.

Observing Participation

A few short notes after each try can show what is working. Keep them factual and kind.

  • Step attempted: Which part of the activity did your child try or complete?
  • Assistance needed: Did they do it on their own, or with a picture, a spoken reminder, a demonstration, or hands-on help they accepted?
  • Child's response: Did they seem curious, comfortable, or in need of a break? What did they choose?

For this skill: Notice whether one hand takes the lead and whether the other hand joins in to help.

Example note: "Tried the second step with a picture cue, took a break after two tries, asked to try again later."

Connect It to Dressing

T-Shirt Dressing Visual Sequence

Gathering and pulling a shirt uses both hands working together. The picture sequence shows that step clearly.

See this skill at work in our free short-sleeve T-shirt guide, or find the picture sequence listed in Guides & Downloads. Purchased and member downloads are delivered through Payhip and the membership area, not from this page.

Related Skills

← Back to All Skills Back to Activities

Written by Chinaedu Okwumabua, an occupational therapy assistant with more than 20 years of experience supporting children with autism and developmental delays.

This information is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for an individualized occupational therapy evaluation, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child is different, so choose activities that suit your child, and adjust or stop whenever needed.