Learning to stand on desks in the right way is essential to assimilate correct posture: the advice of Dr. Carlo Alberto Benech
The beginning of the school year represents an important moment for everyone childrenparticularly for those who attend the first grade. In fact, if at the nursery they could enjoy greater freedom now these children will find themselves spending time much more time sitting at the counter. Although it may seem premature, from this age it is important that they learn the right posture to be kept in class, otherwise there is the risk that problems will develop which will become more serious the longer incorrect positions are taken.
incorrect posture
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Children learn quickly from the experiences they live and quickly learn the concepts that are explained to them. In a certain sense this also happens for the different ones postures that are relevant at various times of the day: children make them their own almost without realizing it, then summarizing them every time they find themselves in the same situation. “Although it is never too late to change your habits, the more time passes the more complicated it is to do so. Therefore, it is important that from an early age we learn to hold a correct position when we are at the counter” observes the Dr. Carlo Alberto Benech, head of the Spine Surgery Unit 3 at the Humanitas-Cellini Clinic in Turin. Among the most common incorrect postures that children assume at school when the teacher explains or when they write or read is that collapsed, with the back bent forward and the elbows (and sometimes even the head) resting on the bench. This position is not good for the back, just as it is not good for this part of the body either rocking in the chair and slide over it, taking on a semi-seated positionwith the spine not well supported on the backrest.
precautions
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Since each child has a specific physical conformation it is not possible to indicate a posture to keep at school desks that is valid for everyone. “However, it is possible to provide some general indications that everyone should follow. First of all, the chair it should be sufficiently high, so as not to force the little one to bend his knees too much; Furthermore, it should allow you to rest your back firmly on the backrest. The height of the desk must then be such as to allow you to keep your wrists on it well when you need to write, without having to bend your back and neck too far forward” explains Dr. Benech. Children who already have spinal problems need to pay particular attention to their posture in class. For example, holding incorrect positions at the desk can accentuate a slight scoliosisthus reducing the effects of the rehabilitation therapy that the child may eventually follow.
sport for posture
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Due to the greater elasticity of the body, often in childhood and adolescence maintaining incorrect postures does not cause serious problems problems. However, for these bad habits you risk “paying the bill” as adultsphase of life in which one is less elastic and it is more complicated to correct postures that have become one’s own as they are maintained for a long time. To preserve the well-being of the spine from an early age it is important not only to assume correct positions, but also avoid sedentary lifestyledoing regular physical activity. “At this age, sporting activity must be practiced for recreational purposes. Through disciplines such as swimming or gymnastics the little one develops a lot proprioception, essential for ‘listening’ to the signals sent by your body even when you maintain incorrect postures. To practice competitive sports instead, you have to wait until sixth grade. In fact, previously too intense physical activity can be excessively traumatic for the body, including the spine” concludes Dr. Benech.
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