Most children are clumsy sometimes; that is, they might drop something that they were expected to hold on to with their fingers, or trip over an object lying on the floor when they are expected to manoeuvre past it easily. A child is described as ‘clumsy’ when she shows occasional episodes of poor coordination in her fingers, hands, arms or legs.
In recent years, psychologists have studied severe clumsiness (dyspraxia) and found that it affects around 5 per cent of all children. Four times as many boys than girls experience a developmental problem with physical coordination. Scientists link the clumsy child’s weak physical skills to the failure of neurons in the brain to develop properly.
Severe clumsiness affects a child in a number of ways, not just physically. Their self-esteem may also be affected. The typical child ages three or four is quick to recognise that others can catch a ball better than her, hold a crayon better than her, and carry objects from one place to another without letting them slip through her fingers. Then there is the social dimension; for example, she may be left out of team games because her performance is slow and awkward. Over time, this can severely dent her confidence and motivation.
If you are concerned about your child’s coordination skills, consult your doctor. Chances are that your three-year-old’s clumsiness is normal and will improve spontaneously with age. However, if a medical assessment does confirm that dyspraxia underlies her coordination difficulties, then the earlier she gets help for this, the better.
Supporting The Clumsy Child
Here are some techniques to help a clumsy child improve her coordination:
Have realistic expectations:
Children mature at different rates, and yours won’t master a physical skill until she is ready to. Never force your child to be too adventurous on play equipment, in the hopes of improving her coordination skills.
Be patient:
Although some physical acts may seem easy from your point of view, a child who is clumsy will find them to be much more demanding. Try not to get annoyed when she drops a plate or trips over the rug yet again. Remember that she doesn’t do this deliberately.
Provide opportunities for success:
Your clumsy child’s self-confidence lifts every time she masters a task involving coordination, so try to pick activities that are within her capability. Select a task that matches her current ability, but one that also challenges her.
Practise with her:
Most activities for developing physical skills can take place without a lot of equipment. Throwing and catching a ball, running on grass and hopping along the ground are all suitable activities for improving coordination.
Make coordination activities fun:
Your four-year-old learns best when she has fun, not when she is tense and anxious about her performance. Laughing and joking with her as she balances on tiptoes, for instance, will help to put her at ease.
Encourage outdoor play:
Many parks have safe play areas for young children, with lots of climbing equipment made out of smooth wood, safely bolted together. Encourage your child to try this equipment out, but make sure to stand close by to catch her should she fall.
Break physical tasks into stages:
Your child might not realise that every athletic activity is made up of a series of smaller activities, usually in sequence. Help her by identifying these small steps, walking her through them and then teaching her how to master them in proper sequence.
In recent years, psychologists have studied severe clumsiness (dyspraxia) and found that it affects around 5 per cent of all children. Four times as many boys than girls experience a developmental problem with physical coordination. Scientists link the clumsy child’s weak physical skills to the failure of neurons in the brain to develop properly.
Severe clumsiness affects a child in a number of ways, not just physically. Their self-esteem may also be affected. The typical child ages three or four is quick to recognise that others can catch a ball better than her, hold a crayon better than her, and carry objects from one place to another without letting them slip through her fingers. Then there is the social dimension; for example, she may be left out of team games because her performance is slow and awkward. Over time, this can severely dent her confidence and motivation.
If you are concerned about your child’s coordination skills, consult your doctor. Chances are that your three-year-old’s clumsiness is normal and will improve spontaneously with age. However, if a medical assessment does confirm that dyspraxia underlies her coordination difficulties, then the earlier she gets help for this, the better.
Supporting The Clumsy Child
Here are some techniques to help a clumsy child improve her coordination:
Have realistic expectations:
Children mature at different rates, and yours won’t master a physical skill until she is ready to. Never force your child to be too adventurous on play equipment, in the hopes of improving her coordination skills.
Be patient:
Although some physical acts may seem easy from your point of view, a child who is clumsy will find them to be much more demanding. Try not to get annoyed when she drops a plate or trips over the rug yet again. Remember that she doesn’t do this deliberately.
Provide opportunities for success:
Your clumsy child’s self-confidence lifts every time she masters a task involving coordination, so try to pick activities that are within her capability. Select a task that matches her current ability, but one that also challenges her.
Practise with her:
Most activities for developing physical skills can take place without a lot of equipment. Throwing and catching a ball, running on grass and hopping along the ground are all suitable activities for improving coordination.
Make coordination activities fun:
Your four-year-old learns best when she has fun, not when she is tense and anxious about her performance. Laughing and joking with her as she balances on tiptoes, for instance, will help to put her at ease.
Encourage outdoor play:
Many parks have safe play areas for young children, with lots of climbing equipment made out of smooth wood, safely bolted together. Encourage your child to try this equipment out, but make sure to stand close by to catch her should she fall.
Break physical tasks into stages:
Your child might not realise that every athletic activity is made up of a series of smaller activities, usually in sequence. Help her by identifying these small steps, walking her through them and then teaching her how to master them in proper sequence.
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