Tearing paper slowly and systematically as an experiential intervention can be helpful for pre-school and differently abled kids to build strength in hands and develop their fine motor and coordination skills.
However, tearing paper should be designed as a purposeful fine motor activity to gain both cognitively and kinesthetically. "For children with learning disabilities. designed paper tearing activities not only build their fine motor muscles of hands but also lead to enhanced coordination skills and better pincer grasp to enable them to pick up things, proper use of scissors and dynamic tripod grasp of writing, drawing and painting tools," suggests Dr Lali Kishore, researcher at Disha Foundation in Jaipur.
He did a lesson study on acquisition of vocabulary by learning disabled related to 'finger-names' and initial concept learning about 'wind can do work' for dysgraphic children of ages 7-8 years. The lesson consisted of modeled demonstration of 'tearing a stiff paper along ascribed spiral' and using it to show that when tied to a string and held under a fan to swirl. Later, the assisted learning, corrective learning and individual practice was followed. The process was repeated for 5 lesson sessions of one hour each. it led to improved tearing to form the spiral model and fun-ful play activity. It can also be used as 'send-home' activity for the care givers to reinforce learning.
"As compared to market supplied materials made of wood or plastic for fine motor and coordination skills, paper tearing activities leading to creation of toys or craft work are significantly more effective," stated Dr Kishore based on his studies as Disha and with neighborhood child Vikas.
In the inset picture the interesting activity of spinning spiral has been shown.
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