Help Your Kids Have a Healthy Spine

For many of our patients, virtual learning will be the new normal for back to school. No matter what the approach is to virtual learning, it means a lot of time in front of the computer screen so it’s especially important to help your kids maintain good posture. Kids of all ages and sizes can benefit from proper posture as it can help protect a growing spine and joints. Here are our tips to help your kids have a healthy spine while they focus on their schoolwork.

Your Kids Should Follow the Same Posture Rules as You

Just as you practice proper posture while working from home, your kid should too! Their knees, hips, and elbows should all be bent at a 90-degree angle. Instead of allowing their feet to dangle if they can’t reach the floor, prop them up on a firm surface. Reading material and screens should be at eye level directly in front of them at about an arm’s length away to prevent neck and muscle strain from looking down too much.

Find Appropriate Furniture

Most furniture isn’t built with kid’s proportions in mind, not to mention the fact that there is a nationwide shortage of office supplies while everyone scrambles to set-up a work from home space. If you don’t have child-size tables, chairs, and/or desks in your home, do your best with what you have. A laundry basket or box can provide a good footrest to ensure their feet are supported. A binder on a pillow can work as a lap desk. Sitting on firm pillows on a chair can raise smaller kids up to the proper height and provide a more mobile sitting surface to help them engage their bodies and focus on position.

Take Frequent Breaks

Think about how good you feel after taking a little brain and stretch break. Adults can sit for at least 30 minutes without getting restless, but kids need to move around much more. Remind them to change their position regularly and set aside break time for movement in their daily routine. Schedule breaks can help your child self-regulate and give them the benefits of movement while preventing feelings of frustration.

Change Positions

Anyone who has spent time around a child knows they are often found in positions that adults would find uncomfortable. If your child wants to work laying on their stomach, sitting on the floor and leaning against the wall, or kneeling on the floor at a coffee table – more power to them. Just make sure that when writing or reading, their materials are positioned properly to avoid neck strain.

Get Adjusted at Williamsburg Chiropractic

Work from home has presented its challenges for both adults and kits. Your children miss their teachers, their friends, and their daily routine. You miss giving your undivided attention to a task and actually accomplishing something. To help promote a stress-free and healthy work environment for both you and your children, come in for a spinal adjustment. The benefits go beyond spinal health – you and your family may enjoy feeling more relaxed, more focused, and healthier overall. This school year may be different than the rest, but get things off to a healthy start with chiropractic care. To schedule an appointment at your local Brooklyn chiropractor, just click here!