Crossing Midline

Reaching across the middle of the body with a hand or foot.

What Crossing Midline Means

The midline is the imaginary line down the center of the body. Crossing midline means a hand, foot, or eyes move across that line to the other side. Many everyday tasks need it so a child does not have to keep switching hands or moving their whole body.

How It Supports Daily Activities

  • Reaching for a cup on the opposite side of the table.
  • Drawing a long line across a page without switching hands.
  • Putting a sock on one foot by bringing it across the body.

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: Scarf Waves

Materials

  • One or two lightweight scarves
  • A little space to move
  • Music (optional)

Simple steps

  1. Hold a scarf and wave it from one side to the other, slowly.
  2. Invite the child to wave their own scarf in a big arc across their body.
  3. Try waving high, low, and in a rainbow shape.
  4. Let the child choose the music or the waving style.
  5. Rest whenever the child likes.

Easier version

Use a single scarf and make small waves in front of the body.

Harder version

Wave with each hand in turn, or trace a sideways figure eight.

Activity 2: Wall Sticker Reach

Materials

  • Stickers or paper shapes
  • Painter's tape for the wall
  • A wall at chest height

Simple steps

  1. Place a row of stickers across the wall at the child's chest height.
  2. Stand beside the child, so they have to reach across to get stickers on the far side.
  3. Invite the child to peel off stickers and stick them on a card.
  4. Switch sides and let the child choose which hand to use.
  5. Talk about which reaches were easy and which were harder.

Easier version

Put the stickers close together and near the child's body.

Harder version

Place stickers at different heights, or ask the child to use only one hand.

Activity 3: Lazy Eight Drawing

Materials

  • Large paper or a chalkboard
  • Markers, chalk, or crayons
  • Painter's tape to hold the paper

Simple steps

  1. Tape the paper to a flat surface at a comfortable height.
  2. Draw a big sideways eight and trace it slowly with a finger.
  3. Invite the child to trace it with a finger first, then a marker.
  4. Add stickers or small drawings along the path.
  5. Take breaks and switch hands if the child likes.

Easier version

Trace the shape with a finger in the air or on the table first.

Harder version

Draw the shape smaller, or add dots to follow.

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 the child keeps one hand on one side or reaches across, and whether they turn their whole body instead.

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

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.