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.
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.
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.