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Having good posture is important to a child’s development, and mental and physical health. Slouching places pressure on internal organs and can lead to digestive issues. Good posture also reduces tension in the shoulders and neck. There is some research that suggests good posture also helps people concentrate better, perform better, and feel more confident. Major conditions that require major surgery and intervention, such as scoliosis, can be prevented by monitoring your child’s posture.
Definition of posture
We have all been told to stand up or sit up straight. But what does having good posture really mean? Posture is defined by Lexico as, “The position in which someone holds their body when standing or sitting.” From a medical standpoint, good posture is when the body has the appearance of being relaxed but the spine is in a neutral position — that means the natural curves of the base of the neck, middle back, and lower back are properly aligned.
What is the proper posture for a child? Children’s posture should be monitored both when standing and sitting. Encourage your child to stand up tall and check to make sure that their weight is evenly distributed over both feet shoulder-width apart. Their head, shoulds, hips, knees, and ankles should be aligned.
When sitting in a chair, children’s posture shouldn’t be allowed to hunch over the table or desk. Make sure the chair is the proper height so that their feet touch the ground comfortably and their bottom is flush to the back of the chair. Their shoulders should be back, allowing their spine to take its natural position. Note that the top of the back and shoulders curve forward slightly when the spine is in the right position.
How to improve posture
Improving your child’s posture requires taking note of when they are standing or sitting well and when they aren’t. If all you do is correct them when they are wrong, it can start to feel like nagging, and becomes a chore for kids.
Noting when they are sitting up tall and helping them understand what the correct posture feels like goes a long way to building good posture. When they know the proper posture they can correct it when you gently remind them to stand or sit up straight.
What are the ramifications of your child having bad posture? Children’s posture is important for many reasons including digestive health, concentration issues, and confidence.
It is also important for back strength, according to Michele Pedulla, associate professor at Regis College. “One of the most important reasons is that good posture helps to build back strength," Pedulla told Mom.com. "Good posture will reduce the chance of undue stress on their growing muscles, ligaments, joints, and bones. Remember that posture pertains to standing, sitting, and even lying down.”
How to detect poor posture
“I sometimes feel like a crazy lady, constantly nudging my daughter to sit up when she’s playing with Play-Doh. I feel like it’s overkill,” mom of one, Carley Edmonds, confessed to Mom.com.
But Edmonds might be on to something, as detecting poor posture is the first step. Once you learn what the proper posture is, you’ll be able to notice the hunched shoulders, slouched midsection, and uneven weight distribution. It isn’t uncommon for kids to have bad posture at times since their body is growing and they may not have the muscle stamina to constantly maintain perfect posture.
Another thing to take note of is the weight of your child's backpack, and how they are carrying it. Lugging around a too-heavy load over a long period of time can wreak havoc on their posture, and have serious consequences for a child's growing body.
Pedulla also notes that if a child has, “fatigue, backaches, headaches, joint pain, and muscle aches,” they may need to work on back strength and posture correction. Children might complain of neck and shoulder pain as well and parents might notice a specific curve in the spine. These are all issues to talk to your pediatrician about.
