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Glossary

Bilateral Coordination

Using both sides of the body together in a controlled, coordinated way.

Bilateral coordination is the ability to use both sides of the body together, either doing the same thing (clapping, jumping jacks), doing different things that combine into one task (one hand holds paper while the other cuts), or alternating smoothly (crawling, pedalling a bike). Weak bilateral coordination often shows up in children who avoid scissors, struggle with shoelaces, hop only on one leg, or skip bike-riding. It is closely linked to a dominant hand developing, most children are clearly right- or left-handed by age five or six, which is a sign that the brain's two hemispheres are talking to each other efficiently.