PARENTS must play an active role in their young children’s lives and not simply hand them a digital device, despite it being easier, say child psychology experts.
Assoc Prof Dr Fonny Dameaty Hutagalung from the Universiti Malaya (UM) Faculty of Education Department of Educational Psychology and Counselling said there are many ways parents can get involved in nurturing their children.
“Take them with you when you run errands like going to the supermarket or buying food. Involve them in your lives,” she said, adding that baking is another good activity to do together.
Simple chores such as putting away their own clothes, taking items out of the fridge, clearing their toys, watering plants and even washing dishes, she continued, can also help build fine motor skills.
“Let them wash their own dishes. Yes, they are young but if you show them how to do it, they will be able to do it without making an even bigger mess.
“While the children are doing these activities, teach them to count so they can learn numbers,” she added.
Fonny Dameaty emphasised that since these children are very young, especially under the age of seven, parents need to be patient with them.
“They are little children. Do not expect instant results when you show them how to do something,” she said.
She also strongly advocated for young children to spend time outdoors playing in nature and with others.
“Playing in the dirt, pretending to ‘cut’ and ‘cook’ leaves – these are things children used to do all the time before the age of the smartphone,” she said, noting that fine motor development issues were rare in that era.
Assoc Prof Dr Saeid Motevalli from the UCSI University Department of Psychology advised parents to encourage their children to use pen and paper, or engage in critical thinking tasks such as puzzles and assignments.
“Activities such as writing in a journal, taking notes, doing simple mathematics (mental mathematics) or drawing deepen brain function, memory and independence.
“Limiting device use during study time helps maintain focus and prevent distractions,” he said.
Fonny Dameaty added that speaking aloud, rather than only listening or watching, helps children learn and remember better.
“For example, when they say the alphabet, they can visualise what it looks like in their head. When they write it down, it further reinforces that memory,” she said.
Parents, she added, must also not be afraid to take away devices if they feel their child is spending too much time on them.
“Yes, these things are hard, but do not be lazy and just hand them the phone.
“Instead, do activities with them that become bonding moments, which also build their social development and teach them to be independent.
“They will remember these moments with you when they grow up,” she said.
