Effect of Preschool Education on Hand Grip Strength and Functional Skills in Children

Aim: It is thought that whether play-based manual activities performed in preschool education institutions have an effect on children's manual skills, future school life and self-confidence has become an important issue. The aim of this research is to examine the contribution of children who received and did not receive preschool education to hand grip and functional skills and to contribute to the evaluation of personal motor skill characteristics to be determined during this period. Method: The study included 118 individuals with no physical problems, divided into two groups as children who received preschool education and those who did not. Hand grip strength, finger grip strength and hand functional skills were assessed in both hands, dominant and non-dominant. Participants' hand functional skills were evaluated by measuring the Perdue Pegboard test, key grip strength with the Jamar® hydraulic pinch meter, and gross grip strength with the J-tech® digital hand dynamometer. Results: As a result of the study, hand and finger grip strength and hand functional skills were found to be higher in children who received preschool education compared to those who did not (p<0.05). As a result of the analysis based on the gender of individuals who received preschool education, no statistically significant difference was found between girls and boys (p>0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, it has been shown that preschool education increases hand grip strength and functional skills in children.