Why using both hands is important for your toddler's development.

Have you ever tried to buckle a shoe with one hand?  It is very difficult.  There are many things we struggle with throughout the day…holding a baby or a bag of groceries while attempting to open a container or answer the phone and jot down a message.  Eventually you get it done, but it is a lot harder and takes twice as long.
 
Early on we learn that using two hands is more efficient than using just one.  Even if you have a one handed backhand in tennis, proper strokes still require specific movements from the non-­‐dominant hand.   
 
Toddlers need to learn this. For some, it comes naturally and by toddlerhood, they are automatically clutching and manipulating toys with both hands. Some children use a one handed approach and this causes trouble. These kids become easily frustrated and often cruise between activities rather than focusing on one since trying to play with toys using only one hand doesn’t work and is not very satisfying.   
 

There are many important benefits to using two hands (Bilateral Motor Coordination):

• When the hands work as a “team” jobs get done faster and better.  This includes drawing, dressing skills, and many large motor activities.
• As both hands work together, one begins to “specialize.”  This leads to developing hand preference or “dominance.”
• Using both sides of the body sends organizing information to the brain.  The many “crossovers” lead to better communication between the two sides of the brain.  This is called “inter-­hemispheric communication,” and is very important for language development and higher level “conceptual” thinking.

Games you can play to encourage the development of Bilateral Motor Coordination:

 

• Hand clapping sequencing games (simple for young children, more complex as they grow)
• Playing with large balls that require both hands 
• Exploring textured surfaces and objects with two hands
• Shaving cream and finger painting with two hands
• Simple musical instruments that require both hands (bongo drums, recorders, keyboards)
• Play dough and clay-­‐using both hands
• Hand/song games like: Wheels on the Bus  Itsy Bitsy Spider (Ask the children’s librarian at your local public library for books that teach more hand play games and songs.)

Daily Life Skills that encourage use of two hands:  

 

• Large sponge to wipe down tables
• Drying self off with a towel using two hands
• Kitchen activities such as peeling, grating, rolling and stirring
• Fasteners such as buttons, zippers, tying shoes

Next: Brain boosters for toddlers

By Jill Mays, author of Your Child's Motor Development Story - Understanding and enhancing development from birth to their first sport. Jill has worked with children for more than 30 years. A mother of three children, she has juggled motherhood with her work in a private occupational therapy practice and consulting where she helps parents and educators understand the complex concepts of sensorimotor development.