Improves children’s ability to cross the midline, which is important for the development of a dominant hand for handwriting and completing tasks on the opposite side of their body
An ideal movement to do before complex tasks and learning activities, as it stimulates cross-brain communication.
Also useful as a fun class energiser, warm-up or PE activity.
Instructions
Stand with your arms straight out in front of you and your feet apart
Jump and land with your feet crossed
Jump your feet apart again
Keep repeating steps 2 and 3
Try crossing and uncrossing your arms also
Watch Points
Keep switching which foot crosses in front
Keep switching which arm crosses on top
Standing tall, with eyes looking forward
Modifications
More Challenging
Multi-Sensory
Ball Skills
Fine Motor
Do Cross Country just with your legs
Seated – Do Cross Country just with your arms
Speed it up
Try doing Cross Country on various types of terrain – in a puddle, in the mud, on sand, on the grass and on a trampoline. Which type of terrain do you like best?
Try throwing and catching a ball with a partner while doing Cross Country legs. How many catches can you and your partner get in a row?
