New school supplies are bought and the promise of an exciting school year lies ahead. Everyone is getting back into the swing of the work and school routine, and down to the business of learning and growing.
As adults, we pay a lot of attention to our own health, from how we eat and play right down to the health professionals we seek out and the ergonomics of our workstation setups.
From the kindergartener learning to hold a pencil to the teenager with a full workload, this is just as important. Optimal functional positioning is important for us all to pay attention to.
For those who may be struggling in the classroom or facing fine motor challenges it is an essential first step that requires attention and can make a big impact.
Here are some tips and tricks to keep those little bodies healthy and set your kids up for success.
Desks
Don't forget desk set up at home is just as important as at school to promote success and the development of fine motor skills
Backs and bottom should touch the back of the chair
Check the chair. Try and avoid scooping chair bottoms that can inadvertently encourage slouched sitting
Use unattached desks and chairs when possible to allow children to adjust their distance to the desktop
Feet should be flat on the floor while sitting to the back of the chair, and knees bent to 90 degrees. Duct tape a phone book and place it under feet as a homemade stool if you find feet are dangling and do not have access to smaller chairs, or if desk height cannot be lowered.
Ideal desk height should be approximately two inches above elbow height when arms are hanging relaxed at sides. Play around at school and home with different work surfaces to find optimal sizing. If purchasing a desk consider buying an adjustable height desk.
Consider seating arrangement in class as well as at home with the environment in mind. Both to determine who will be most successful sitting near whom, as well as for distractibility and gaze transfer
Kids grow. Check their desk and chair height every few months to ensure a great fit.
Core strength
Core stability and strength helps us to maintain our posture and perform our activities of daily life. It is awfully difficult to manage or develop new demanding motor skills when you are working extra hard to maintain your posture.
Once children have adequate core stability and supportive seat/desk height they are much better at developing and tackling all the gross and fine motor challenges that come their way.
Incorporate activities and games often in to playtime to develop and maintain this. Some great options are crab and animal walks, wheel-barrel races, monkey bars and general playground play, scooter board games and sitting or playing on a stability ball.
Get silly and have fun!
