Kids and Remote Schooling: Why Home Ergonomics Matter for Spinal Health

You’ve seen your school-aged child jump off couches, roll around on the floor, and contort themself into every strange position imaginable. Are at-home ergonomics really important at this age where children seem to be so flexible and physically resilient? Yes! Learn more below about why this age is so crucial for developing great physical habits.

Why Are Ergonomics Important for Kids?

Ensuring proper posture and spinal alignment during a child’s remote schooling hours is essential to maintaining great back health. Poor posture while leaning over a laptop or completing homework in bed can lead to muscle fatigue, spinal misalignment, and various complaints such as headaches, backaches, and eyestrain.

Sitting correctly and positioning the screen at an appropriate distance from the eyes is important for adults in the workplace — and it’s just as important for kids who are starting to develop habits that they will carry with them into adulthood.

How Can I Help My Child With At-Home Ergonomics?

You may have heard that it’s ergonomically ideal for adults to have a comfortable desk and a chair that fits their bodies. This is true for kids as well. When working at a desk, the computer screen should be positioned about an arm’s length from their faces.

• Teach healthy screen time habits. Ensure that your child is not looking down for too long, holding a screen too close to his or her face, or spending longer than 20 minutes staring at a screen without taking a break. It’s important to encourage breaks that involve movement — even if it’s just going downstairs to get a drink of water. Similarly, encourage your child to rest their eyes by looking at objects far away every 20 minutes. 
• Introduce the 90/90/90 rule. When sitting at a computer desk, your child should aim for a 90-degree angle where the back and hips meet, as well as where the knees and ankles bend. If your child does not have a desk that fits, or he or she is still working on the couch or bed, either purchase a new desk or consider a makeshift solution such as putting books under their laptop to improve ergonomics.
• Try different ergonomic positions for comfort. If you have a younger child who does not enjoy sitting at a computer or prefers a tablet, let them lie on their stomach and prop their body up with their elbows. This allows for spinal extension and can strengthen back muscles they don’t often use.

Get In Touch With Raleigh Specific Chiropractic

An experienced chiropractor can help your child find an ergonomic working position that is both comfortable and productive. If you have more questions about ergonomics for children completing their schooling at home, reach out to our chiropractic team for a thorough assessment. 

Contact our team online, or call us directly at (919) 846-7004 to set up a consultation, today!