Bhakti Paun Sharma
... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
It may be thrilling for you to see your child sitting in a stable position while playing. However, did you know that there are right and wrong sitting positions for kids too? Their muscles and bones are still in the developmental stage and care needs to be taken so that your little one does not face any difficulty in doing daily activities like running, walking, cycling and even other activities that need motor skills. You should try using different tricks to correct your child's posture.
The wrong sitting position for kids
Of all the positions, the W-sitting position must be avoided. In this position, kids sits on their bottom with knees bent, feet tucked under and their legs splayed out to the sides. This appears like a W and hence is named so. Children opt this position as it is very comfortable for them and gives them more stability and keeps their hands perfectly free to play with toys.
Dr Manish Mannan, Head of Department Pediatrics and Neonatology, Paras Hospitals, Gurgaon suggests that though this may feel like a very comfortable position for them, but persistent sitting in this posture is what can be harmful to children. W sitting increases muscle tightness and prevents children from rotating from side to side. Sitting in W position can have an adverse effect on certain muscles of the thighs and hips and does not encourage children from distributing weight from one side of the body to another, a skill that is necessary for walking, running, riding and other fine motor activities. Once the child gets into a particular habit, it becomes difficult to change; hence, it is very important to teach your child to sit other ways like sitting with legs crossed or with legs in front of them.
Image Source: Shutterstock