TARGETED SKILLS: Coordinating communication between the left and right hemispheres
of the brain.
Activities for the car and at home.
Activity 1: Marching in Place
1. Stand straight while marching in place.
2. Take the right hand; cross the median of the body;
lightly slap the left knee as it is lifted.
3. Switch to the left hand to slap the right knee.
4. Alternate the slaps for at least 60 seconds.
5. Try different speeds and double slaps to provide variety.
6. Add music for tempo and fun.
Variations for the car (passengers only):
1. Sit straight in the seat with feet flat on the floor.
2. One leg at a time, lift your heel rounding up on your toes. (Knee is elevated)
3. Lightly slap the elevated knee with the opposite hand.
4. Alternate slapping the opposite knee with hands for 60 seconds.
1. Extend arms straight, palms up.
2. Bend left arm at elbow.
3. Touch left elbow with the right hand crossing the median of the body.
4. Alternate by bending right arm at the elbow and touching with the left hand.
5. Optional: add music.
Activity 2: Figure 8’s on Paper
Materials: Paper and Pencils (Colored or Lead)
1. Place paper (8 x 11 or longer) lengthwise from left to right directly in front of the body so
that the middle of the paper is lined up with the nose.
2. Draw a large figure 8 on its side tracing it over and over with the dominant hand for
60 seconds.
3. Change to the other hand and trace the pattern for additional 60 seconds.
4. With two different colored pencils, one in each hand, trace the figure 8 pattern with both
hands at the same time.
1. Stand straight while marching in place.
2. Take the right hand; cross the median of the body;
lightly slap the left knee as it is lifted.
3. Switch to the left hand to slap the right knee.
4. Alternate the slaps for at least 60 seconds.
5. Try different speeds and double slaps to provide variety.
6. Add music for tempo and fun.
Variations for the car (passengers only):
1. Sit straight in the seat with feet flat on the floor.
2. One leg at a time, lift your heel rounding up on your toes. (Knee is elevated)
3. Lightly slap the elevated knee with the opposite hand.
4. Alternate slapping the opposite knee with hands for 60 seconds.
1. Extend arms straight, palms up.
2. Bend left arm at elbow.
3. Touch left elbow with the right hand crossing the median of the body.
4. Alternate by bending right arm at the elbow and touching with the left hand.
5. Optional: add music.
Activity 2: Figure 8’s on Paper
Materials: Paper and Pencils (Colored or Lead)
1. Place paper (8 x 11 or longer) lengthwise from left to right directly in front of the body so
that the middle of the paper is lined up with the nose.
2. Draw a large figure 8 on its side tracing it over and over with the dominant hand for
60 seconds.
3. Change to the other hand and trace the pattern for additional 60 seconds.
4. With two different colored pencils, one in each hand, trace the figure 8 pattern with both
hands at the same time.