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Fine Motor Activities in Elementary School: Preliminary Findings and Provisional Implications for Children With Fine Motor Problems
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1992
Year
Physical ActivityMotor LearningMotor SkillFine Motor ProblemsHandwritingMotor DevelopmentEducationMotor ControlMotor DifficultyKinesiologyWriting DifficultiesCognitive DevelopmentFine MotorMotor DisorderSpecific Learning DisorderHealth SciencesFine Motor ActivitiesRehabilitationElementary SchoolChild DevelopmentChildhood Physical ActivitySpecial EducationMotor Skill InterventionFine Motor RequirementsFine Motor DifficultiesMotor Skill AssessmentFine Motor Control
This knowledge is critical for occupational therapists working with children with fine motor and handwriting problems who are mainstreamed into regular classes. The study aimed to obtain a detailed picture of the fine motor requirements in regular elementary school classrooms. The authors observed six elementary classrooms, recording the allocation of time and types of fine motor tasks performed throughout a day. Fine motor activities occupy 30–60 % of the school day, with writing tasks dominating, indicating that children with fine motor difficulties may require adjustments to workload, task types, and materials.
This study was designed to obtain a detailed picture of the fine motor requirements in regular elementary school classrooms. This knowledge is critical for occupational therapists in working with children with fine motor and handwriting problems who are main-streamed into regular classes. The allocation of time to fine motor activities and the types of fine motor tasks children are expected to perform in elementary school were investigated through the observation of six elementary school classrooms. A written minute-by-minute record of one whole day's activities in each classroom showed that 30% to 60% of the day was allocated to fine motor activities, with writing tasks predominating over other manipulative tasks. Implications for children with fine motor difficulties include the need for modifications to volume of work, types of tasks, and materials.