Good posture is important for people of any age, but it’s particularly important for children who are still growing and developing. Learning good posture at a young age is also key to preventing muscle soreness, headaches and back pain as an adult.

So how can you teach your children about good posture? Here are some tips that can help.

Lead by example

Demonstrating good posture yourself is a great way to show your children the importance of keeping your back straight and properly aligned. Young children are keen observers, so be conscious of how you’re sitting and standing, especially if you’ve developed bad posture habits yourself.

Offer praise

Children learn more through positive reinforcement than through criticism. Don’t just correct your child when he or she is slouching. It’s important to praise your child when he or she is displaying proper posture. Compliments and positive feedback encourage children to continue positive behaviors.

Explain things

Children want to understand the “why” behind their parents’ requests. They’re more likely to follow instructions if they understand the benefits of good posture. Talk to your kids about why good posture is important to their health.

• Poor posture over the long term can result in abnormal bone growth. This can lead to spinal abnormalities and conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, which cause pain and impaired mobility in adulthood and could require the services of an orthopedic doctor.
• You can breathe better when you exhibit good posture. That means you’ll have more energy and focus since your brain is getting the oxygen it needs.
• People with good posture tend to have more self-confidence.

Use visual aids

Very young children will likely respond better to images than words or lectures from parents. Search the web for cartoons or handouts that discuss good posture or even just images of people displaying good posture. Print the images and ask your children to color the pictures or let them draw their own pictures of people displaying good and bad posture.

Create a workspace

Children may develop poor posture after slouching over school assignments. Create a work space that encourages good posture. Make sure he or she is sitting at a table or desk that’s at elbow height. When typing, children should keep the bottom of their palms lifted off the keyboard while keeping the shoulders shifted back.

Do you have more questions about how poor posture affects your child’s development? We’re here to help, so give us a call or request an appointment today.