To investigate upon the relationship between screen exposure time and graphic/fine motor skills of children aged 5 to 6 in Auvergne.

A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out in 2019-2020 in 3 kindergarten classes in Clermont-Ferrand and 4 in Cantal, chosen according to different socio-demographic criteria. The main criteria for evaluating fine motor skills were 3 calibrated graphic/fine motor activities, carried out during an individual assessment at school. The weekly screen exposure time of the child was assessed during a parental interview.

127 children took part in the survey. The main results point out that children who spend more than 10 hours per school week (more than 20 hours a holiday school week) on screen have significantly lower graphic/fine motor skills. Regardless of screen exposure time, a child living with a single parent, and/or of low level of educational, and/or intermediate occupation/socio-professional category, has lower graphic/fine motor skills scores. The rural setting of the school seems to play a positive role in the level of graphic/fine motor skills, while the socio-demographic profile of the school and the attendance of the children do not seem to influence these skills.

Our survey shows a significant association between increased weekly screen time exposure and decreased graphic/fine motor skills in children aged 5-6 years. Further work will be required to explore this association. Health education programs implemented in school and health communities with parental involvement would be useful to improve screen usage and prevent learning disabilities.