In an age dominated by touchscreens and digital play, Australian educators are raising concerns about the impact on young children's physical development. Increasing reliance on devices like iPads has coincided with a noticeable decline in fine and gross motor skills, leaving educators worried about long-term implications.
Tasks once considered routine, such as gripping pencils, buttoning clothes, or participating confidently in playground activities, have become challenging for many children.
Experts warn that without sufficient hands-on play and physical interaction, these foundational skills could deteriorate further, potentially affecting children’s independence and academic readiness. Early childhood professionals are now calling for a renewed focus on active, tactile learning experiences.
Chloe Han, Early Childhood Teacher at Young Academics, says she has witnessed a noticeable decline in children’s motor skills, largely influenced by increased screen time.
She says while technology can be engaging and even educational, it often replaces essential hands-on activities that develop fine and gross motor skills.
Over the years, Han has seen a growing number of children struggle with fundamental tasks such as holding a pencil, using scissors, and even balancing during physical play. She says this lack of active, hands-on experiences is directly affecting their ability to build strength, coordination, and dexterity.
Below, The Educator speaks to Han about the importance of hands-on play for young people, and strategies for schools to support their students’ fine motor development.
TE: How has the increased use of technology, like iPads, impacted children’s fine motor skills and overall physical development?
The rise of iPads and other touch-screen devices has fundamentally changed how children interact with the world. Instead of engaging in activities that build grip strength, finger control, and full-body movement, many children now spend extended periods swiping and tapping screens. While these actions require some hand-eye coordination, they don’t provide the same level of fine motor development as tasks like drawing, cutting, or building with small objects. I’ve worked with children who physically struggle to complete everyday tasks that should be second nature at their age. I’ve seen four-year-olds who can confidently navigate an iPad but lack the hand strength to hold a crayon properly. Some have difficulty using utensils at mealtime or fastening buttons on their clothes. I’ve even had children who couldn’t zip up their own jackets because they’d never had to practice the precise finger movements needed. More concerningly, I’ve noticed an increasing number of children who avoid playground activities like climbing or running because their core muscles are underdeveloped, making it difficult to balance. These challenges are not just minor developmental delays - they directly impact children’s confidence, independence, and readiness for school.
TE: What role does playtime and physical activity play in developing motor skills, and how can parents and educators create more opportunities for this?
Play is essential for motor skill development. Climbing, running, jumping, and crawling all help children build strength, coordination, and spatial awareness. Likewise, manipulating objects - such as stacking blocks, squeezing playdough, or threading beads - develops fine motor control. I strongly believe that children need as much unstructured playtime as possible to refine these skills. Parents and educators can encourage this by providing open-ended materials such as clay, puzzles, and tongs for picking up small objects. Outdoor play is also crucial, as natural environments challenge children to move in ways that build balance and strength. Creating opportunities for free movement and tactile play can help reverse the trend of declining motor skills.
TE: Why is there such a strong focus on fine motor skills in early childhood development, and what are some key skills children should be developing at this stage?
Fine motor skills are fundamental to a child’s independence, confidence, and overall development. These small muscle movements - such as holding a pencil, using scissors, buttoning clothes, and feeding themselves - are critical for everyday tasks. From my experience, children with strong fine motor skills tend to be more confident and independent in the classroom, completing tasks like writing and manipulating objects with ease. However, when these skills aren’t developed early on, frustration and learning difficulties often follow. Encouraging activities such as playdough, drawing, and threading beads can significantly help nurture these abilities.
TE: What are some simple activities parents can use at home to boost their child’s fine motor skills?
There are many simple and effective ways to strengthen fine motor skills at home, including:
- Using kitchen tongs or tweezers to pick up small objects (great for building finger strength).
- Playing with playdough or kinetic sand to improve hand muscles.
- Stringing beads or pasta to encourage precision and coordination.
- Encouraging finger painting and drawing to strengthen grip and control.
- Using clothespins or spray bottles to enhance pincer grasp strength.
- These activities don’t require expensive toys - just simple materials and playful engagement.
TE: How have you seen motor skill development evolve in children over the years, and what changes do you think we’ll see in the future as technology continues to influence early learning?
Over the years, I’ve observed a clear decline in both fine and gross motor skills. Many children now struggle more with hand strength, posture, and overall coordination than in previous generations. I believe this is due to a combination of more screen time and fewer outdoor or hands-on play opportunities. If this trend continues, we may see more children needing additional support for basic motor skills that were once naturally developed through daily play. That said, I’m hopeful. There’s growing awareness among parents and educators about the importance of movement-based learning. I believe early childhood programs will continue shifting towards more screen-free, hands-on activities to ensure children develop these essential skills.
Motor skill development isn’t just about preparing children for school - it’s about fostering independence, confidence, and long-term well-being. Encouraging movement and play is one of the best ways to support their growth in an increasingly digital world.