Improve posture and recruitment of core muscles by playing in these positions!

By: Nina Berault PT, DPT 

            Our children spend much of their time performing sedentary activities (i.e, writing, typing, attending to a teacher's lesson, and reading). Typically in the classroom, our children assume a "short sit" position in their chairs- their bottoms supported by a surface and lower legs folded over the side. Too much time spent in this position may result in restricted hip mobility, tight hamstrings, and weakness in the neck and back to name a few things. Home is the perfect environment to switch things up. Below is a list of several positions children can assume when reading, writing, playing video games, and more!


Prone on elbows: Recruits scapular (shoulder blade), cervical (neck), and thoracic (upper back) musculature to hold the head and shoulders off the ground. Sensory input is given to the core as the belly pushes down into the floor. 




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​Side-sitting: 
​The child must recruit core and hip musculature to achieve and maintain midline position (counteracts the rotation in the trunk as a result of the hip position). 

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Half kneel: Narrow base of support in this position allows for recruitment of the core and glutes. Quadriceps are also used to maintain balance! Child learns to align ribcage and pelvis.