新奇事件簿 科技弱化儿童握住铅笔的能力

A study shows that new technology is reducing children's ability to use a pencil or pen. The study is from the National Health Service in the UK. Researchers said that nowadays, children spend so much time swiping iPads or mobile¹ phone screens that they cannot hold a pencil properly. Children are not using pencils, so they now lack the muscle strength in their hands to be able to write properly. Researcher Dr Sally Payne said: "Children are not coming into school with the hand strength and ability they had 10 years ago. Children coming into school are being given a pencil but are increasingly² not able to hold it because they don't have the fundamental³ movement skills."

一项研究发现新科技的产生降低了儿童使用铅笔或钢笔的能力。该研究来自英国国民保健服务系统。研究人员表示现在的儿童花大量时间滑动iPad或手机屏幕，因此他们不能以正确的姿势握住一支铅笔。儿童不使用铅笔，所以现在他们的手掌缺乏肌肉强度，不能正确书写。研究人员Sally Payne博士表示：“现在的入学儿童缺乏手部力量和书写能力，而这些是10年前儿童所拥有的能力。入学儿童都会得到一支铅笔，但是越来越多儿童不会握笔，因为他们没有基本的动作技能。”

The researchers said technology is changing the physical way that children write, draw or make things. Children are increasingly using technology to create. Dr Payne explained why. She said: "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. Because of this, they're not developing the underlying⁴ foundation⁵ skills they need to grip⁶ and hold a pencil." Some experts say technology may be 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 it was better for children's physical development to climb trees than to watch YouTube videos.

研究人员表示科技改变了儿童写字、绘画或制作的物理方式。越来越多的儿童利用科技创作。佩恩博士解释了其中原因。她说道：“相比鼓励他们做一些锻炼肌肉的游戏，比如搭积木、剪贴或是拖拉玩具和绳索，给他们一个iPad要更加容易。因此，他们抓住并握住铅笔的潜在基本技能没有得到开发。”一些专家表示科技或许导致了更大的问题。一名专家表示如果儿童连一支笔都握不住，或许他们的整个身体都很虚弱。她说道，儿童爬树的体格发展比看油管视频更好。

1 mobile   

adj.可移动的，易变的，机动的；n.运动物体

参考例句：

• The old lady sits on a mobile chair every morning.那位老妇人每天上午坐在一把可携带使用的椅子上。
• She's much more mobile now that she's bought a car.自从她买了汽车后，活动量就大多了。

2 increasingly   

adv.逐渐地，日益地，逐渐增加地

参考例句：

• Rivers are being increasingly made use of by man. 河流正在日益为人类所利用。
• I find it increasingly difficult to live within my income.我发现靠收入过日子越来越难了。

3 fundamental   

adj.基本的，主要的；基本原则，基本法则

参考例句：

• The fundamental way out for agriculture lies in mechanization.农业的根本出路在于机械化。
• Fresh air is fundamental to good health.新鲜空气对健康是不可缺少的。

4 underlying   

adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的

参考例句：

• The underlying theme of the novel is very serious.小说隐含的主题是十分严肃的。
• This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它潜在的含义。

5 foundation   

n.[pl.]地基；基础；基金会；建立，创办

参考例句：

• The foundation of the university took place 600 years ago.这所大学是600年前创办的。
• The Foundation gives money to help artists.那家基金会捐款帮助艺术家。

6 grip   

v.握紧，紧握；吸引；引起；n.紧握，控制

参考例句：

• He keeps a firm grip on his children.他对孩子们管得很严。
• The brake doesn't grip properly.煞车不灵。