Speed Reading — Pencils - Level 2 — 200 wpm 

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New technology is reducing children's ability to use a pencil. Researchers from the UK's health service said that children spend so much time swiping iPads or mobile phone screens that they cannot hold a pencil properly. This means their hands do not have the muscle strength to be able to write properly. Researcher Dr Sally Payne said: "Children are not coming into school with the hand strength...they had 10 years ago. Children coming into school are being given a pencil but are increasingly not able to hold it because they don't have the...skills."

Technology is changing the way that children write, draw or make things. Children are now using technology to create. Dr Payne explained that: "It's easier to give a child an iPad than encourage them to do muscle-building play such as building blocks, cutting and sticking, or pulling toys and ropes [so] they're not developing the...skills they need to grip and hold a pencil." Some experts say technology is causing bigger problems. One expert said if a child isn't strong enough to hold a pencil, perhaps their whole body is weak. She said children needed to climb trees instead.

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