Work

Differences between preschool children using tablets and non-tablets in visual perception and fine motor skills

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Numerous touch-screen applications designed to support visual perceptual skills and fine motor development for young children are available. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate whether or not there were differences between children using tablets and non-tablets in visual perception and fine motor skills and to examine the association between visual perception and fine motor skills in two groups. METHODS: This study had tablet and non-tablet groups, each with 36 typically developing preschool children. RESULTS: Children in the non-tablet group yielded significantly higher scores in the subtests of visual discrimination, visual memory, spatial relationships, form constancy, visual figure ground, fine motor precision, fine motor integration, and manual dexterity than those in the tablet group. The association between visual perception and fine motor skills demonstrated different patterns in the two groups. CONCLUSION: There are differences in visual perception and fine motor skills between children using tablets and non-using tablets. Different patterns of association relationship support the need for occupational therapists to consider the underlying mechanism.

Source: Hong Kong Journal of Occupational Therapy

DOI: 10.1177/1569186119888698

Author: Ling-Yi Lin

Institution: National Cheng Kung University

Language: English

Topic: Children's Physical and Motor Development

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Quality education

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan