Does playing video games enhance fine motor skills in children? “No” says a pediatric occupational therapist
As a child development specialist, a frequent question asked by parents, educators, and therapists is “Do video games improve fine motor skills”? Concerns continue regarding long durations children are spending using various technologies, and creating the need to justify high usage rates in homes, schools, and clinical settings is on the rise. Because video […]
When did we decide that kids shouldn’t move?
School initiatives to enhance child development, behavior and learning. Grab a device and you sit. Put it down and you get up and move around. Devices are increasingly being used as a socially acceptable form of child restraint in both home and school settings. Stopping a child from moving by handing them a device may […]
Ten red flags that indicate your child is using too much technology
Includes ten Tech Tips for improved family connection, health and wellness. When working with children with problematic behaviours, at times it’s difficult to determine what is causing the issue, and often it’s never one thing! This article is designed to help parents, teachers and health professionals understand which child issues might be associated with […]
Brain Drain – How technology disrupts early brain development
A common belief by today’s parents is that early use of technology by young children is harmless, and might even prove beneficial to their developing brains. Promises of improved cognition, eye/hand coordination, visual motor control, reaction time, and even foundation skills for future surgeon occupations are touted by digital media designers. Parents repeatedly report […]
Sustainable Children – Are they a blast from the past?
Over the past 30 years, I’ve had the unique opportunity as a pediatric occupational therapist to witness profound changes in children. I used to see kids with physical disabilities like cerebral palsy or Down’s Syndrome, but about 15 years ago the referrals changed to motor delays or sensory processing problems. Today my most frequent […]