Sit up Straight

Maybe all those old time nuns in school didn't have it fully wrong.  Posture is key, and crucial in a child's ability to learn, write, gain motor control, prevent long term joint misalignment and so much more.

So yes, I have in my own way, become the new Ms. Grace "Nun" of sitting.

Here are a few reason's why.

1) If your feet are not on the floor,  then chances are they are kicking around, siding off to the side, and surely looking to at some point get your child to stand up. 
Believe it or not, not having a grounded foundation of just having feet on a stable surface leads to fatigue, and the body getting a sensory input that is distracting. 

2) If the feet are not stable, then I assure you that the hips, back, shoulders, arms, wrist, hands are not as well.  It is all connect.

3) Grounded feet give sensory input that is calming.  This is especially important for any of the children I've sent notes saying maybe : "Hyper stimulated with sensory input", "Low Tone in trunk", "easily distracted by basic position changes" " Stands and fidgets with tasks".

I am not asking your child has to become a perfect solider of sitting, but their are some key points that will provide an environment promoting better learning.

*First is a foot box.  Your child should not be barely touching the floor.

*A writing surface where the arms are bent close to 90 at the elbows. Who wants to be writing with the hands by their ears?

*Slightly bending forward at hips is just fine, and a nice neutral relaxed posture. 

*However, think bending at hips, not fully at lower back.

*For poor wrist flexion (meaning the hand curves down vs. top of hand bending up and towards the forearm), I suggest a slant board.

*  For over or low stimulated children.  A chair with arms.  This helps so so much with focusing the child, and giving sensory boundaries.  I have one at school I use, and Ms. Baily will use in class.  Trust me, this small change is a miracle worker!  I use it even with my 3yr old sometimes.





Here are a few examples of work area changes. If you want me to email photo's of your child's work stations I do at school then just send me your email to meaghan.grace@gmail.com

Theraband around the legs of a classroom chair for the student to kick into to get proprioceptive input while sitting. This allows the student to fidget and receive sensory input, which can help with the student's ability to focus, concentrate and most importantly, remain seated. This also works well for fidgety children who can't sit still at the dinner table long enough to get through a meal with their family.

Slant foot board and hip support.

Use of Slant board to bring wrist to netural

                                                                

DYI Slant Board.  Binder, and clip.  Use a non-skid material underneath to keep binder from moving!

Before!

                                                                                                    

                                                                  After with a foot box support. 

 

Foot Box, and nonskid material.  I used under the worksheet as well to prevent the students paper from shifting as he works.  This becomes a huge issue for children with poor attention span, starting and terminating task.  Even children with poor motor plan or spatial awareness. As once the work shifts, paper rotates, and so on.. it results in a pause in task and hence increased difficulty finishing the task.

Over thanksgiving break play around with your children play environment while they color, do a craft of cutting and gluing, eating, and so on.

Happy Thanksgiving!! I truly value your wonderful child, and have seen them working so hard and doing so so well!!