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
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.
