How to increase coordination between Left and right brain & its importance in childhood.
The human brain is the most complex organ in the human body and probably the most marvellous creation present on this universe. It is evident that, every man made wonders are a result of the human brain making it the most amazing feature in a human being. The human brain is divided into two hemispheres the left hemisphere of the brain and the right hemisphere of the brain and they are responsible for different functions. Popular belief was that the left-brain analyse and work logically, while the right brain is the creative one. However, scientists have scrapped the idea, as nothing in the brain is that simple. Recent studies have proved that both sides of the brain are necessary to perform most tasks. The cooperation between the right and left brain is essential for us to learn better, function more intelligently and become proficient in anything. It is called the “Whole Brain Thinking.”

“Cross pattern coordination” movement is the very base for the connection between right brain and left brain. This cross pattern can be seen in children as soon as they start crawling. For example, the left arm and the right leg come forward at the same time, and the right arm and the left leg moves together. This cross movement contributes to the development of the connection between the right brain and the left brain. Crawling is very beneficial for children as well as for adults. You can see this cross pattern in normal walking, too. Usually the right arm and left leg moves together, and vice versa. You should make sure that your child don’t start walking directly before crawling, it can disturb the left-right brain connection.

While walking and crawling are the natural activities, but you can make your child do few extra activities that can strengthen the connection between the right and left hemisphere of the brain.

Mismatched movement:

Like crawling and walking, mismatching the movements of your hands and/or feet is a good brain exercise that promotes coordination. For example, circle your right hand clockwise, and pat your thigh with the left hand. Both the brain’s hemisphere have to work together on this task.

Writing with the non-dominant hand:

Just for few minutes a day, a right-handed child should write using his left hand in writing, and a left-handed child should write using his right hand. This trick is not as popular as it should be, but proves to be extremely effective.

Clay modelling:

Clay modelling helps your child’s sensory development, motor skills, self esteem, and self expression, problem solving skills, discipline, and pride. Clay also has a unique quality that settles and calms children; it retains their attention for hours. Clay modelling is one the oldest brain-boosting activity in the history. It activates the functioning area of the brain, like imagination, image building, holistic approach and hand-eye movement coordination. It helps child’s finger movements become stronger, which is the primary need to develop creativity. All painters and sculptors have very strong and stable fingers.

Drawing and painting has a similar effect as clay modelling, as it uses the child’s untamed imagination. In addition, drawing with different type of colours like crayon, oil paints and watercolors will help them understand the major differences between colors and their combinations.

Drumming:

Drumming has many benefits, like Reducing tension, anxiety and stress, Releases negative feelings, blockages and emotional trauma. In addition, it also helps strengthening the connection between the right and the left brain.

Debate:

Debating on various topics helps in Increasing your child’s confidence, poise, and self-esteem. Children learn how to speak in front of others with debate. With debate, children utilise their brain functions to express, forcing both hemisphere of brain to work together.

Scrabble:

Scrabble is a simple and entertaining game and has many advantages for children. Scrabble helps one relax and most importantly, it extends your child’s vocabulary power. To play scrabble both hemispheres for the brain is utilised. Sit down with your child and play a game of scrabble. Ask them to use the words they make in simple sentences.
For Example: If the word is “lamb”. The sentence may be, “Mary had a little lamb”.

Role-play:

Role play is a fun and a ‘playful’ activity and also a key component of a child’s learning. Role play / pretend play is where children act out a role of a fictional or a real life character. Role-play enhances confidence level and boosts social interaction among children. Give a topic to your children for role-play. Such as a scene of hospital, where your child will be the doctor, while others can play the role of a patient.

The human brain has amazed and baffled people throughout the ages. The field of neuroscience is still in its infancy, but is rapidly exploding. The above examples are just a fraction of many ways to improve brains functionality. There is a lot more we can do to optimize how brain works and most of the ways are still unknown to us.