Investigation of age-related developmental differences of button ability.
BACKGROUND
There is little standardized information on simple and easy-to-use evaluation of fine motor skills in disabled children. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between unbuttoning and buttoning ability and age and sex difference.


METHODS
One hundred and forty-four children (63 boys and 81 girls; age range, 36-83 months) and 14 young adults took part in the present study. The children were categorized into four groups according to age. Every subject went to nursery school and/or kindergarten. On the basis of Montessori education system, unbuttoning and buttoning were performed. The time from beginning to end was measured individually. All the participants were instructed to do the task in the same way.


RESULTS
The mean time required for unbuttoning activity was decreased until 4 years old, while that for buttoning was also reduced until 5 years old, respectively. There were no significant differences between boys and girls except in unbuttoning activity at the age of 3 years.


CONCLUSIONS
More attention should be paid to unbuttoning and buttoning activities in children. It might be a simple and easy-to-use evaluation method in the clinical setting.
Ohtoshi
Taro
T
Division of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Seijoh University, Aichi, Japan. otoshi@seijoh-u.ac.jp
Muraki
Toshiaki
T
Takada
Satoshi
S
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D001076:Aptitude; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003020:Clothing; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult