Many children spend a significant portion of their day sitting down, whether it’s during meals, commuting to school, studying, or even using a screen device, and whilst the parental focus tends to be on the specifics of their activity, it may be time to focus on how their posture may be impacting their physical development.
Standing is crucial to children’s development at all ages. It not only helps children sustain attention and engage with learning content but also promotes good posture and control of core muscles.
At younger ages, standing:
- Strengthens the abdominal, hip, and back muscles and the upper body.
- Encourages children to ‘work harder’ by reaching forward rather than resting their arms.
- Supports the development of fine motor skills and improves coordination of eye and hand movements and bilateral coordination (one hand holds steady while the other moves).
At older ages, standing:
- Boosts cognitive function by providing a refreshing change from sitting and promoting new ways of completing tasks. Children learn better when they can move and change their position during activities.
- Encourages an active lifestyle, reducing daily sedentary time.
Take Home Activity
The activities below can be used to encourage good standing habits in children:
- Create a ‘play station’ for drawing and writing on vertical surfaces.
- Wash windows or walls using a sponge (now that’s a win-win).
- Let them play with playdough or shaving cream on a smooth, vertical surface.
- Involve them in cooking activities where they are required to stand.
Although it seems like a simple change, standing has so many benefits for a child’s development. So, the next time you are trying to reduce a child’s sitting, consider the activities listed above; simple but effective.