As a pediatric occupational therapist, I’m always looking for movement-based strategies to support my students’ motor skills, focus, and overall learning. One activity that often comes up in conversations about movement and brain development is Brain Gym’s Cross Crawls. While Brain Gym as a whole is not evidence-based, cross crawls themselves are well-supported by research and can be a fantastic tool for improving coordination, attention, executive functioning, and motor skills.
So, what exactly are cross crawls, and why do they work? Let’s dive into the science behind this simple yet powerful movement!
What Are Cross Crawls?
Cross crawls are a movement pattern where you touch your elbow to your opposite knee, alternating sides in a rhythmic motion. This action requires the brain to coordinate movement across the midline, engaging both the left and right hemispheres.
Cross-body movements, such as cross crawls, are often used in therapy, fitness, and educational settings to promote whole-body coordination and brain activation. While they might seem simple, they offer powerful benefits that support learning, executive function, and motor development.
The Science-Backed Benefits of Cross Crawls
Although Brain Gym lacks scientific validation, many studies support the benefits of cross-lateral movements like cross-crawls. Here’s what the research says:
✔ Executive Functioning & Cognitive Flexibility
Cross crawls engage multiple areas of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functioning skills like planning, organizing, problem-solving, and self-regulation. Activities that require coordination and crossing the midline have been shown to improve cognitive flexibility, working memory, and impulse control—all essential for learning and daily tasks.
✔ Bilateral Coordination & Brain Integration
Cross crawls activate both hemispheres of the brain, improving communication through the corpus callosum. This strengthens bilateral coordination, a necessary skill for tasks like cutting with scissors, tying shoelaces, and using both hands together.
✔ Motor Planning & Body Awareness
When a child performs a cross crawl, they engage in motor sequencing and proprioceptive awareness—two key components of functional movement. These skills help with everyday activities like buttoning a shirt, tying shoelaces, or holding a pencil correctly.
✔ Enhancing Working Memory & Focus
Movement-based activities, including cross crawls, have been shown to increase attention and cognitive engagement. A study published in Frontiers in Psychology (2018) found that physical activity enhances executive function, which is crucial for learning, problem-solving, and impulse control.
✔ Core Strength & Postural Control
Cross crawls aren’t just good for the brain—they also strengthen the core muscles, which are essential for maintaining good posture and endurance for seated tasks like handwriting.
✔ Supporting Reading & Writing Skills
Because cross crawls require crossing the midline, they help train the eyes to move fluidly across a page—a fundamental skill for reading fluency. Additionally, activating both hemispheres can support letter formation and handwriting legibility.
✔ Self-Regulation & Emotional Control
Since cross crawls involve rhythmic, repetitive movement, they can also calm the nervous system. Engaging in these movements before a learning task or transition can help children regulate their emotions, improve self-control, and stay on task.
Modifying Cross Crawls for All Abilities
Not all children can perform a traditional cross crawl, and that’s okay! Here are some easy modifications:
👐 Arm-Only Cross Crawls – If lower-body movement is difficult, have children reach one hand across to touch their opposite shoulder or outstretched arm.
👀 Provide Visual Cues – If gross motor movement is challenging, use visual cues by placing small pieces of tape on the child’s legs and having them cross the midline using their arm to pull the tape off their leg and hand it to you.
🪑 Seated Cross Crawls – Children can sit and tap their opposite hand to their opposite knee instead of standing.
🙆 Cross Crawl Sit-Ups: Do the same movement lying down. If it is too challenging, reach your arms across your body while lying down.
These modifications ensure that all children can access the benefits of cross crawls, regardless of mobility level.
Final Thoughts: Movement Matters!
Cross crawls are a research-supported activity that can enhance executive functioning, motor coordination, attention, and learning readiness. They’re easy to integrate into a therapy session, classroom routine, or home activity, making them a valuable tool for boosting physical and cognitive development.
Have you tried using cross crawls with your students or children? Let me know in the comments how they’ve worked for you!
📌 Want more movement-based strategies for learning and development? Follow along for more evidence-backed tips!
Sources:
Here are more sources that provide insights into the cognitive and motor benefits of cross-crawl exercises, including their role in improving executive functioning, coordination, and brain integration.
Franklin, W. (n.d.). Cross-lateral exercises: The science behind their brain-boosting benefits. Wyllow Franklin. Retrieved from https://www.wyllowfranklin.ca/post/cross-lateral-exercises-the-science-behind-their-brain-boosting-benefits
Math & Movement. (n.d.). Cross-lateral movements: All about the midline of the body. Retrieved from https://mathandmovement.com/cross-lateral-movements-all-about-the-midline-of-the-body/
The OT Toolbox. (2019). Cross-crawl exercises. Retrieved from https://www.theottoolbox.com/cross-crawl-exercises/
Your Therapy Source. (2019, June 16). Cross-crawl exercises to improve coordination and brain function. Retrieved from https://www.yourtherapysource.com/blog1/2019/06/16/cross-crawl/
Precision Chiropractic. (n.d.). Cross-crawl exercises: Neurological disorganization – this is a good thing! Retrieved from https://precisionchirofl.com/blog/cross-crawl-exercises-neurological-disorganization-this-is-a-good-thing/