Good seating

Good seating is the key to many activities. By reducing the amount of effort and energy wasted trying to stay sitting up straight, a child will find it easier to carry out important daily activities, such as feeding, playing and learning.

Seating in the classroom

Consider the seating position in the classroom. Ensure the child is facing the source of the information at the front of the class.

Other things to consider:

• group left and right handers together so that their elbows don't bang
• try using a sloping surface to write on such as a level arch file
• hips, knees and ankles should be at right angles
• check the chair and table heights - are the fee flat on the floor, if not consider resting feet on a block or similar
• try different types of chairs and stools
• elbows should be resting comfortably on the table without the shoulders hunched
• bottom should be well back in the chair

Good seating provides the following benefits:

• improved hand and arm control, allowing children to use their hands for functional activities such as writing and eating
• reduced fatigue by providing good stable support
• improved eye contact, concentration, communication and social skills
• increased independence
• improved comfort

Other positions for play

Children don't always have to sit at a table, consider these positions as alternatives:

• quadruped (hands and knees)
• lying on their back, side or tummy
• sitting cross-legged or in a side-sit
• kneeling or tall kneeling
• long sit (legs straight out)
• propped up on elbows