My search simulation topic is for fine motor skills and the impact the development (or lack of) has on future academic success. The reason this topic resonates with me so greatly is because I all too often encounter young children in my classroom who struggle greatly with these skills. Many cannot tear tape or paper or even hold a pencil with a developing tripod grip. I spend a great amount of time fostering these skills as I feel personally these are quite important but I would like to know if I am doing this all for naught or if there is a good reason for investing this time and effort in fostering these skills for young children.
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| Photo Credit:https://skillsforaction.com/handwriting/pencil-grip-overview |
So far in this course, learning how to properly and accurately use a critical eye when I come across various articles has saved me a great deal of time and effort. In the past I have often tried to hard to make my research fit my topic even if it was so far past. Also knowing how to properly search for content has helped me a lot. Often I can get to a point to where I am pinpointing a topic too much that I cannot find any research to assist my study.
Have you encountered any research to offer more insight about fostering fine motor skills? In your experience have you seen a correlation between well developed fine motor skills and academic success? Or even the lack of these skills and a child still being quite successful in primary school?
Fostering the motor skills are of extreme importance. But I do believe that sometimes to much emphasis is placed on how to develop the skills and whether or not we should force the child to develop the skills at a particular time or if we can allow them to develop the skills on their own.
ReplyDeleteMallory,
DeleteI agree with not pushing children to develop skills until he or she is ready. All too often children are forced into a skill which is not developmentally appropriate thus causes some struggles. As many children spend a good amount of free time being sedentary and play games on electronic devices, I use this knowledge to embed fine motor activities into everyday learning but through my research I am hoping to find if this is important or if these skills will develop naturally as the child progresses through primary school.
I feel that strengthening fine motor skills are as important as developing other skills such as gross motor, social-emotional and self-sufficiency, among other skills. In my experience, young children who do not have strong fine motor skills are more likely to lack a sense of confidence and adopt an "I can't do it" attitude. However, when I gave these children different opportunities to enhance their fine motor skills and showed them they can do something (i.e. open a snack bag, cut with scissors, write with a pencil/marker), they exhibited a sense of pride at being successful.
ReplyDeleteI came across this study https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167945707000991 when looking for another research topic. Hope it helps.
Trisha,
ReplyDeleteI had never put the correlation together of self-esteem and confidence with lack of fine motor skills. With my sutdents over the years I have always told them it is not that they cannot do it but they have not learned to do it. I offer so much positivity in my class that I have not run across this idea of "I can't" but I can understand how an underdeveloped skill can foster this idea and lead to feeling of lacking self-worth.
Thank you very much for the article. I was able to find the full article through the Walden library and have printed it for further review. I am always ready to learn more about any topic but practically fine motor as this is something that has always interested me.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah,
I find your research to be very interesting topic. I am totally interested in reading with what you find. I have always been interested how children develop their motor skills and how it impacts their education.
Hopefully you will find your answer through the research you conduct and get a better understanding if there is indeed an impact on children’s lives. Good luck on your research!
Miguel,
ReplyDeleteI am very excited for your interest. For me, this topic is quite real and relevant with the children of our current society. If I am able to offer extra support for future success then I know I am doing my job properly as an early childhood educator.