MOTOR SKILLS
Children with motor coordination problems,
such as dyspraxic or dysgraphic children,
face challenges in organizing and controlling their body movements.
SCHOOL CHALLENGES
Balance difficulties and clumsiness
Maintaining balance when moving or in unstable positions, which can lead to frequent falls, clumsy gestures, jerky or disorganized movements.
Fine motor skills
Perform tasks requiring precision and coordination of small muscles, such as writing, drawing and cutting.
Movements coordination
Coordinate different body parts to perform complex movements, such as skipping, throwing a ball or riding a bike.
Balance difficulties and clumsiness
Plan and organize movements, which can make complex activities, such as following a sequence of movements or reproducing motor patterns, more difficult to perform.
These MOTOR COORDINATION difficulties can affect
children’s SELF-CONFIDENCE,
making them reluctant to take part in physical activities or sports.
SCHOOL STRATEGIES
1. Adapted writing material
Ergonomic pens
These pens are ergonomically designed for a comfortable, natural grip.
Some pens have a non-slip surface or specific shapes to make them easier to hold.
Thickened pencils and mechanical pencils
These tools have a larger diameter than traditional pencils and mechanical pencils, making them easier to hold and control for children with coordination difficulties.
Handwriting guides
These are visual aids that attach to the paper and provide a guideline to help the child maintain a more regular and fluid handwriting style.
Some handwriting guides are specifically designed for dyspraxic children, with marked grip areas.
Slant boards
Slant boards are supports on which children can place their notebooks or writing paper.
They are inclined at an angle that promotes a more comfortable posture and helps reduce writing fatigue.
Ergonomic pens
These pens are ergonomically designed for a comfortable, natural grip.
Some pens have a non-slip surface or specific shapes to make them easier to hold.
Resources for adapted writing materials
Ergonomic pen
Maped Visio Pen
Ergonomic pen with triangular shape and non-slip surface. It features an ink ball for smooth, controlled writing.
Stabile Easy original
Ergonomic pen with non-slip grip and triangular shape for a natural grip. It is available in a range of attractive colors for children.
Handwriting guides
Jocatop Dumont writing workbook
This handwriting workbook offers exercises and models to help children acquire regular, fluent handwriting. It includes writing guides adapted to the different stages of learning.
Graphic tablets
Wacom Intros graphic tablet
The Wacom Intuos graphics tablet is a popular option for children with motor coordination problems. It enables precise writing and drawing using a stylus, offering an experience similar to that of traditional handwriting.
Huion H420 Graphics Tablet
The Huion H420 graphic tablet is an affordable, child-friendly option. It offers a pressure-sensitive drawing surface and enhanced precision, making it suitable for learning to write.
XP-Pen Star G640 graphic tablet
The XP-Pen Star G640 graphics tablet is another popular option for children. It features a responsive drawing surface and a comfortable-to-hold stylus, offering a fluid, natural writing experience.
Thickened pencils and mechanical pencils
Jumbo Grip by Faber-Castell
These thickened pencils from Faber-Castell are specially designed to make it easier for children to grasp. They have a larger diameter than traditional pencils, making them easier to hold and control.
Scribolino mechanical pencils
These thickened mechanical pencils are ideal for children with coordination difficulties. They offer a better grip thanks to their larger diameter and enable more precise tracing.
Lyra Groove ergonomic pencils
These thickened pencils from Lyra feature an ergonomic triangular shape that makes them easier to hold. They offer greater stability when writing and help improve fine motor skills.
2. Environmental design
Organize the classroom to maximize space for movement and reduce physical obstacles.
Use chairs and tables adapted to the size and needs of children, such as chairs with lumbar support, swivel stools or height-adjustable tables.
3. Use of assistive technologies
Assistive technologies such as tablets, apps and software can be used to support children’s learning.
For example, there are interactive games and applications specially designed to improve fine motor coordination.
4. Handling and construction activities
Handling and construction activities, such as building games, puzzles, board games or handicrafts.
These activities help develop hand and finger coordination, as well as the planning and execution of movements.
5. Use of multimedia
Multimedia aids, such as videos or visual demonstrations, illustrate movements and gestures.
This can help children better understand and reproduce the movements required for certain activities.
Resources for assistive technology
Interactive application designed to improve fine motor coordination in children. It offers a variety of exercises and games that specifically target the development of hand and finger motor skills.
Brain training software that can be used to support learning in children with coordination problems. It features fun exercises designed to improve coordination, attention and cognitive skills.
A tablet specially designed for children, offering a range of educational and interactive applications. It can be used to support learning and improve motor coordination through specific games and activities.
Interactive application designed to improve children’s fine motor coordination. It features letter, number and shape tracing exercises, with visual feedback to help children perfect their movements (available on iOS), iDevBooks.
Educational software that lets children learn and play through a variety of interactive activities. It offers games specifically designed to develop fine motor coordination and can be used on LeapFrog tablets (compatible with LeapFrog tablets), LeapFrog
A series of fun applications for children, offering a variety of games and interactive activities. Some of these apps focus specifically on the development of fine motor coordination, offering adapted challenges. (available on iOS and Android)
6. Adapting physical activities
In sport classes, activities are adapted to children’s abilities, and alternatives are offered for movements that are more difficult for them.
For example, low-impact dance activities, slower ball games or specific coordination exercises.
Resources for handling and building activities
A variety of kits adapted to different age groups. They promote the development of fine motor coordination, spatial planning and creativity in children.
A range of wooden puzzles in different sizes and levels of difficulty. These puzzles help develop hand and finger coordination and problem-solving skills, while offering a pleasant tactile experience.
Board game designed to improve motor coordination and problem-solving skills. Children must move vehicles on a game board to solve traffic challenges, stimulating movement planning and visual-motor coordination.
Wooden boards of identical size, enabling children to create a variety of structures and shapes. This game encourages hand and finger coordination, as well as the planning and execution of precise movements.
Fun, interactive board game that focuses on coordination and reflexes. Players must quickly grab the totem pole in the center of the table when a corresponding card is turned over, requiring quick, precise movements.