In-Hand Manipulation in Young Children: Rotation of an Object in the Fingers

Abstract

The development of in-hand manipulation skills of rotation involves improvement in the dimension of speed, method, and consistency. Observation of these skills in a child can add to a therapist's understanding of the child's fine motor abilities. The variability in children's performance needs to be considered in both evaluation and treatment planning.

Children's Exposure Assessment: A Review of Factors Influencing Children's Exposure, and the Data Available to Characterize and Assess That Exposure

“…Children show wide variability in manipulative performance. A young child has not developed a stable manner of handling objects, and the performance is variable in both style and effectiveness (20 (3,6). In addition to the exposures associated with the foods that children eat, the manner in which children handle food as they eat may also impact their exposure to environmental contaminants.…”

“…There is extensive research documenting the changes in manual coordination of very young children as they mature (17)(18)(19)(20)(21). Children show wide variability in manipulative performance.…”

In-hand manipulation (IHM) in children 6 and 7 years of age: A follow-up study

“…These skills should be fully developed by the age of 12 years 8 . Of importance for this study is that at the age of six years, children are able to make use of stabilisation in conjunction with aspects of the other IHM components 5 . The consistent use of IHM components in combination such as palm-to-finger with stabilisation followed by rotation with stabilisation is expected in children aged six and seven years old 18,19 .…”

“…Although literature describing the development of each separate component of IHM and age norms for IHM is limited, in-hand manipulation has been described in relation to variables related to the development of IHM 3,7,8,[12][13][14] , the age at which IHM skills emerge and are mastered 3,8 , rapid periods of development 8,9 and possible gender differences 5,15 . When considering the age at which IHM skills emerge and are mastered Exner 3 , reports that IHM skills develop between the ages of 18 months and seven years, and are refined until the age of nine to ten years.…”

“…Although several researchers [1][2][3][4][5][6] have aimed to address this matter, occupational therapy clinicians in the field of paediatrics continue to communicate their need for an IHM measuring instrument. Visser et al 6 reported that "as a result of the lack of measuring instruments with age related norms regarding IHM, therapists are not aware of what can be expected of specific age groups in terms of IHM, causing difficulty with regard to accurate assessment and intervention planning" 6:22 .…”