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Occupational therapists at Holmdel panel urge more unstructured outdoor play to build tolerance and fine-motor skills
Summary
Local occupational therapists and educators told the panel that boredom and unstructured nature-based play build cognitive flexibility and fine-motor skills; they noted research connecting early heavy handheld-device use with delayed motor development in young children.
Occupational therapists on a Holmdel community panel said deliberate, unstructured outdoor play helps children build problem-solving skills, tolerance for discomfort and the fine-motor development that can be reduced by excessive early screen exposure.
Emily McHugh, founder of Sticks and Stones and a licensed pediatric occupational therapist, described boredom as "a gateway to creativity" and outlined nature-based activities (mud kitchens, loose parts like PVC and gutters) that encourage problem-solving and social play. She advised families to "lower the bar" for nature time — a quick after-dinner walk or a backyard snack can count — and to tag outdoor moments onto existing routines.
Katie McEvoy cited research associating higher screen use for very young children with fewer opportunities to develop fine-motor skills. "The highest risk factors they found was that very early exposure... when kids are on screens for multiple hours per day, that puts them at a higher risk of having fine motor delays," she said. Panelists described local practices such as reintroducing middle-school recess and running outdoor classes to rebuild foundational movement and attention skills.
Panelists recommended parents prioritize short, consistent outdoor or hands-on activities and to replace passive viewing with interactive play when possible.
