We get a glimpse of this when children have begun to learn to draw and write before they have the correct hand function for easy pencil control. As Occupational Therapists, we often have to help a child un-learn their bad habits, re-pack some of the suitcase and begin
taking out the tools in the correct order. This gives the child the chance to develop each skill as a foundation for the next one.
Dexterity and hand function is what sets us as humans apart form all other animals and allows us to manipulate and explore our environment. It is not just pencil grip; when and if the day comes that we do not use pencils anymore, we will still want our children to have developed their fine motor controls as fully as possible.
SHARON STANSFIELD
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