New research is revealing a concerning trend: children’s fine-motor skills are declining at an alarming rate.
A recent National Geographic report, citing an Education Week survey, has highlighted that young children are struggling with essential fine motor skills such as holding pencils, tying shoes, and using scissors.
According to the survey, the decline has been linked to several factors, including:
- increased screen time
- reduced outdoor play
- children no longer read for fun
- changes in childhood developmental routines that affect development of dexterity have increased
- pandemic-related disruptions
The Education Week survey was comprised of mainly PreK-3 educators. As a result of the data collected, it was stated that, “77% reported that fine motor skills like holding pencils, using scissors, and writing have become more challenging for young students. Sixty-nine percent noted that tying shoes is more difficult compared to five years ago.”
Is there anything that parents can do to help children with the decline of fine motor skills?
YES! Based on suggestions from the experts, here are five things that can be done to help children “course-correct.”
Try the 1,000 Hours Outside challenge.
Create a challenge for both you and your little one outside! You have a year to complete the challenge and spend 1,000 hours outside climbing, playing, and exploring together. This is a great way to put down the screens and help build fine-motor skills.
Make fine motor fun.
Make fine-motor sill building fun by not forcing it, incorporate Play-Doh, cutting, sewing, and puzzles into everyday play. They won’t realize that they are skill building!
No-screen hours (for parents, too).
If you read more, so will they! Have everyone put down the screen and pick up a book.
Create an arts and crafts challenge.
Arts and crafts are always fun. Grab the glitter, construction paper, and even slime, and go wild and let kids create freely with no rules, just creativity. Added bonus: arts and crafts keeps them entertained without screens.
Encourage hands-on giving.
There is no better way to help kids with their fine-motor development and hand strength than having them help you wrap presents, write birthday cards, or make homemade gifts. This is a definite win-win when it comes to fine-motor workouts.
Parents, be pro-active in helping your kids develop their fine-motor skills, their future development is counting on you!
