Rarely does a cinematic experience reflect the domain of fine motor development, but in the case of the current hit, The King's Speech, I could not let the opportunity pass by to share. I don't want to spoil the movie for anyone who hasn't seen it - so by all means go see this worthy flick as soon as you can! But, if you've seen this movie, you'll probably agree one scene stood out with its relevance to appropriate fine motor development of young children. The scene of particular interest was the one where "Bertie", the King to-be, was awkwardly using a thin brush to glue together a model airplane and visiting with Mr. Lionel Logue. It was during this therapeutic and social interaction where the negative experience of forced hand use was detected, revealed, and quickly connected to the King's life-halting problem of stammering. Watch out - this moment will make you catch your breath! Recent research (Meng, 2007) reaches back to validate Mr. Logue and the once, little- known facts associated with negative outcomes of biasing hand use in young children. My concern is the practice of forcing hand use persists today in 2011. Break this inappropriate practice, not the child, by embracing the following basic facts and simple strategies: Basic Facts: - Hand preference is usually established between 4 1/2 and 6 years of age in typically developing children. Many children will alternate hand use during this age range, which is developmentally appropriate.
- Hand Preference is not intellectually selected, but rather, elicited through hands-on play.
- Right-handers comprise approximately 90% of the population while Lefties and those with mixed dominance make-up the remaining 10%.
- Click here for additional information and activity on hand dominance.
Simple, but Critical Strategies: - Promote authentic hand preference acquisition by presenting ALL ACTIVITES AND OBJECTS to young children at the midline (belly button level) or center of tabletop, if working in a seated position. No bias to the right, please!
- Praise the efforts of children as they explore hand use and hand preference through play activities at school and home - You are watching development occur before your very eyes! Prepare to be fascinated!
- Offer multiple one and two-handed activities to encourage the natural development of a child's hand preference. There is no such thing as too much hands-on play and activity! See the sidebar for a few great one-handed activities.
Promote appropriate development of hand preference acquisition, fine motor skills, and speech and language skills so that young children find their true voices (like the King finally did)....Write Out of the Box! Dr. Mari Meng, L. F., (2007). The rate of handedness conversion and related factors in left-handed children. Laterality, 12, 131-138. |
