TECHNIQUES TO IMPROVE HAND-EYE COORDINATION IN KIDS

Discover simple techniques to improve hand-eye coordination in kids. Enhance their confidence and independence in daily activities. Read more here!

Have you noticed your child having difficulty with activities that require precise hand movements, such as drawing or writing? Does your child seem to lack control while using utensils during mealtime? Do you feel that improving your child’s hand-eye coordination could enhance their overall confidence and independence in daily activities? If your answer is yes, then you’re in the right place! Hand-eye coordination is an essential skill for children’s physical and cognitive development. In this blog, we will explore simple techniques and hand eye coordination exercises that can make a significant difference in your child.

WHY IS HAND-EYE COORDINATION IMPORTANT FOR KIDS?

Hand-eye coordination helps children perform everyday tasks like writing, playing sports, and even feeding themselves. When kids have good hand-eye coordination, they can easily coordinate their hand movements with what they see, making learning and playing much easier and enjoyable.Hand-eye coordination in children develops as a result of brain development, sensory integration, and motor skill advancement. Play, exploration, and activities that involve precise hand motions and visual processing improve it.

TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVE HAND-EYE COORDINATION:

1. CATCH AND TOSS GAMES:

Playing catch and toss games is a fun way to boost hand-eye coordination. Start with a soft ball or beanbag and stand close to your child. Gently toss the ball to them, encouraging them to catch it with their hands. As they get better, increase the distance gradually. You can also try using balloons for a slower-paced game.

2. BUILDING WITH BLOCKS:

Building with blocks is not just for fun; it’s a fantastic activity for enhancing hand-eye coordination too. Encourage your child to stack blocks to create different structures. This will help them develop precise hand movements while aligning the blocks.

3. DRAWING AND COLOURING:

Simple activities like drawing and colouring can work wonders for hand-eye coordination. Provide your child with crayons, markers, or coloured pencils and let them create their masterpieces. Drawing shapes, tracing lines, and colouring within the lines all contribute to improving hand-eye coordination.

4. PLAY WITH PUZZLES:

Puzzles are excellent tools for enhancing cognitive skills and hand-eye coordination. Start with simple puzzles featuring large pieces, and then progress to more complex ones as your child becomes more skilled. Let them explore and manipulate the puzzle pieces until they fit together.

5. BALL BOUNCING AND ROLLING:

Bouncing or rolling a ball back and forth can be a simple yet effective method to improve hand-eye coordination. Have your child stand opposite you and bounce or roll the ball gently. Encourage them to catch the ball with their hands and then toss it back to you.

7 FOODS THAT HELP TO IMPROVE HAND EYE CO-ORDINATION

ASHWAGANDHA:

Ashwagandha has a strong affinity for GABA receptors. As a result, Ashwagandha can be used to treat Autism symptoms such as eye contact, memory loss, anxiety, and attention deficit.

BRAHMI:

Brahmi is a brain superfood that is believed to sharpen the brain by protecting cells and increasing chemicals involved in learning and memory. It acts on the CNS, where it improves grasping power, eye contact, memory, intellect, and speech, as well as correcting emotional, mood, and personality aberrations in an individual.

Also, check BENEFITS OF BRAHMI IN BRAIN DEVELOPMENT.

SHANKHAPUSHPI:

In order to improve brain functioning, shankhapushpi is an old remedy. The powerful antioxidants and flavonoids present in it improve the memory capacity, focus, concentration, calmness, alertness of an individual. Since it is a brain tonic and stimulator, people taking shankhapushpi have improved autism features like eye contact, memory, reasoning, problem-solving, and other cognitive abilities.

PROTEIN: 

Protein is an essential component of a healthy diet. It helps to build, maintain, and repair body tissues. It is also necessary for brain health and plays an important role in neurotransmitter production (brain chemical). G protein also regulates cellular signalling and is essential for retinoid receptor function, laying the groundwork for healthy visual processing.

OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS:

There is a link between omega 3 fatty acids and early childhood brain development, according to research. These healthy fats have incredible brain-boosting properties and play an important role in improving autism features like eye contact, memory, and attention span. Fish and walnuts are excellent sources of omega 3.

Also, check Omega-3 rich foods for kids

MAGNESIUM:

Magnesium is responsible for nerve transmission and nerve-muscle coordination in our bodies. In other words, it guards against a child’s excessive excitement (which can be traumatic). It also increases the effectiveness of vitamin B, which is important in the production of enzymes required by the brain. It  may improve eye contact and reduce behavioral issues.

ZINC: 

Zinc is a mineral that our bodies require in trace amounts. Because our bodies do not store zinc, we must consume small amounts of it on a regular basis to maintain our health. It is required for proper brain development and function, immune function, protein synthesis, and wound healing.

NUTS:

All nuts, including almonds, walnuts, cashews, peanuts, and hazelnuts, are high in vitamin E and aid in memory enhancement. They are also antioxidants that protect cells from damage. Walnuts are high in omega 3 fatty acids and are beneficial to eye contact, brain function, memory, and cognitive abilities. This fatty acid is also beneficial to cognitive functions.

Also check, Other benefits of nuts and seeds.
 

SEEDS:

Aside from nuts, seeds such as flax, chia, melon, sesame, and pumpkins contain potent antioxidants such as vitamin E, which protect the brain from free radical damage. Sunflower seeds have an effect on overall mood and mental processing abilities, so they are regarded as a brain-boosting snack. Pumpkin seeds contain more magnesium, copper, and zinc than other seeds, which aid in eye contact, concentration, and memory. One of the simplest brain-boosting foods for children to consume.

Also check, Health benefits of pumpkin seeds.

COCOA POWDER:

Pure cocoa powder (unsweetened) contains brain boosting components as it is packed with a large number of antioxidants molecules, the main is epicatechin helpful to improve cognition in studies. Hence cocoa powder is also an important brain development food for children. 

Enhancing eye contact skills in children is a valuable investment in their overall social and emotional development. By understanding the importance of eye contact, identifying potential challenges, and implementing effective strategies, parents, educators, and caregivers can provide the necessary support for children to improve their eye contact abilities.With patience, practice, and a nurturing environment, children can develop the confidence and skills to establish meaningful connections, effectively communicate their thoughts and feelings, and navigate the world with increased self-assurance.