Questions over whether technology is preventing young children’s ability to hold pens

Paediatric therapists fear that children are increasingly finding it difficult to hold pens and pencils because of an overuse of technology. FK&Y’s Dr Barbie Clarke, interviewed for the article which appeared in the Guardian, has pointed out that there currently appears to be a lack of evidence to confirm this however, and more research is needed to determine the impact of technology on a young child’s ability to write. “We go into many schools and have never gone into one, even those which have embraced teaching through technology, where pen and paper is not also being used alongside the tablets and iPads.”

The paediatric therapists interviewed for the article believe that using touch screen phones and tablets is preventing young children’s finger muscles from developing, not giving them the opportunity to develop dexterity and strength in their hands. Sally Payne, the head paediatric occupational therapist at the Heart of England foundation NHS Trust said: “Children coming into school are being given a pencil but are increasingly not being able to hold it because they don’t have the fundamental movement skills”. Read more here.