Alarms that children’s mobility has deteriorated have come from several quarters since the turn of the year. First the newspaper reported The subject teacher that several craft teachers have noted that today’s students have difficulty handling scissors. The Swedish Sports Teachers’ Association and the Swedish Gymnastics Association then agreed with a debate article on DN Debate. “Today’s kids can’t even do a somersault,” was the headline.
SVT’s Lilla Aktuellt has been in contact with several teachers who state that they have now begun to adapt the teaching to close the gaps in the children’s motor skills. One example is Äsperödsskolan in Uddevalla, where the students do “cutting exercises” to get sharper with the scissors.
– It feels important to be able to use the hands in different ways, says Maya, who attends the school.
“Needs studies”
According to Anna Tidén, lecturer at the School of Gymnastics and Sports, it is not completely clear why the children’s mobility has deteriorated, although there are some international studies that have shown this to be the case.
– From a purely research point of view, you need studies to explain it. But you still have to trust leaders, coaches and teachers. Their statements are that it is considered that the ability to move has become worse, she says.