it's not uncommon for parents to use apps on their phone or tables to teach their kids their 1-2-3s and ABCs. And over the last two decades, more and more teachers have begun to use technology as a way to educate children, big and small. But relying on technology may come at a cost: Experts warn that children can't hold pencils because of iPads. They say excessive tablet and cell phone use is slowing down muscle development.
Pediatricians in the United Kingdom have recently claimed that children's finger muscles are not developing properly because of overuse of touchscreen phones and tablets at home, according to The Guardian. Continuous use of handheld technology has caused kids to have weak finger muscle control, which makes it harder for them to hold a pen or pencil the right way and write legibly.
Sally Payne, the head pediatric occupational therapist at the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, told The Guardian that, in order to be able "to grip a pencil and move it, you need strong control of the fine muscles in your fingers." "Children are not coming into school with the hand strength and dexterity they had 10 years ago," Payne said.
it's not uncommon for parents to use apps on their phone or tables to teach their kids their 1-2-3s and ABCs. And over the last two decades, more and more teachers have begun to use technology as a way to educate children, big and small. But relying on technology may come at a cost: Experts warn that children can't hold pencils because of iPads. They say excessive tablet and cell phone use is slowing down muscle development.
Pediatricians in the United Kingdom have recently claimed that children's finger muscles are not developing properly because of overuse of touchscreen phones and tablets at home, according to The Guardian. Continuous use of handheld technology has caused kids to have weak finger muscle control, which makes it harder for them to hold a pen or pencil the right way and write legibly.
Sally Payne, the head pediatric occupational therapist at the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, told The Guardian that, in order to be able "to grip a pencil and move it, you need strong control of the fine muscles in your fingers." "Children are not coming into school with the hand strength and dexterity they had 10 years ago," Payne said.
romper.com