Problems with posture in an adult are often associated with habits formed in childhood: sitting, hunched over, at the computer or in front of the TV, constantly bending his head, improperly lifting weights, moving little physically. In modern schools, unfortunately, there are also enough factors contributing to the development of incorrect posture in children: tables and chairs designed not in accordance with the growth and age of children, heavy backpacks, illiterate sewing, heavy loads and lack of proper physical preparation. As a result, at the moment, the curvature of the spine affects two-thirds of Russian students. About how to form a correct posture in a child and to fix it for life, we'll talk below.
Incorrect posture contributes to the development of a large number of problems with bones and muscles, leads to violations of the function of internal organs, such as heart and lung diseases and invariably causes severe back pain. Becoming chronic over time, they can spoil the life of anyone, sometimes even leading to disability. Statistics say that 44% of children aged 11 to 14 suffer from incorrect posture in Russia, and 60% of students experience periodic back pain.
Children who regularly wear a backpack weighing more than 20% of their body weight, especially at risk of spoiling their posture. Carrying heavy bags with textbooks, as well as many other materials throughout the day, the spine is exposed to excessive strain. There is an opinion that a good weight of a backpack should not exceed 10% of the child's weight. Because the most dangerous age for the spine of preschool children (about 7 years) and adolescents is 12-15 years, or the so-called "ripening period". It is during this period that most adolescents receive scoliosis (lateral curvature of the spine). Some children have a regular backup up to 60% of their weight, and this can lead not only to short-term complications, but also to problems at a later stage. Watch the weight of your children's school knapsacks - this is very important.
How to choose the "right" school backpack for your child?
Experts recommend that as a starting point when choosing a backpack, pay attention to its back wall - it should be flat and rigid. Only in this way can you keep the correct posture of the student. Its width should not exceed the width of the shoulders of the child, and also sag below the belt. In addition, the straps should be wide and soft with well-adjustable fasteners. It is important to establish the habit of using the child's belts so that the weight of the rucksack is evenly distributed. And at last do not forget about the important point - the backpack should be "equipped" by a set of separate pockets - the more, the better. So your child will be easier to evenly distribute the contents of the backpack.
80% of children finish school with impaired posture
Young children often spend a long time playing games, so there is rarely a reason for concern about posture at this age. Most likely, problems will arise with the onset of school age, and this is understandable - the long time spent on poorly designed tables, consistent with the growth of children and heavy school bags - all this significantly increases the risk of curvature of the spine. A good example in this respect can serve the Scandinavian countries, which turned out to be very cautious, because their children have height-adjustable tables, adjustable chairs supporting a natural S-shaped bend of the spine. On the other hand, one could simply shorten the school hours or increase the time to provide rest for long hours to allow the children to move and change their position. It is also important for children to have regular physical activity. A good preventive measure is also the equipping of schools with personal boxes with locks, which will help children not to carry constantly heavy things from school home and back.
No less important is the control of the child at home
To monitor the situation of the child at home, there is much more time and opportunity than at school. Thus, we can help the child to form useful habits in this respect. Constantly check its correct position - the child should stand straight, on both legs without "piling on" one or the other leg. It is also important not to forget that it is adults who should be an example of the correct position of the body. Then it will be enough to draw the attention of the child to his posture, and not constantly to make comments to him.
What should I pay attention to?
- Give the child a comfortable place to work. This is important, since most of the time the student spends at the table, which in turn means that he must perform his functions and be properly selected, according to the growth and age of the child. . Try to make sure that the child does not sit facing the wall. Psychologists explain that this position is for the child a symbol of despair and does not encourage the desire to work. The child for such a thing all the time stoops, which means his subconscious desire to hide, to be less noticeable. While the wall behind definitely gives a sense of security. Another possible cause of curvature of the spine is the light that falls on the left. An insufficiently lit room forces children to lean lower over the notebooks and textbooks, which will never allow the child to form a correct posture. Experts say that at home, as in school, the child must do 15-minute breaks every 45 minutes of training to change his position.
- Reduce the time watching TV - because watching TV from morning to night the child is unacceptable. This, of course, will contribute to the position of the child or his state of health, but the result is unlikely to please you. Studies show that almost 60% of children who watched TV for 1-2 hours a day complained of back pain. For those who watch TV for more than 2 hours a day in a row, this percentage increases to 70.
- Limit your time at the computer - this is especially important, given the fact that most of the tables and chairs for working on the computer are for adults. They have a hard-to-reach keyboard for the child, the legs hang in the air, and the head is constantly thrown back or raised to see the image on the monitor screen. On the other hand, children who have been playing on the computer for too long for hours on end with a joystick or other peripheral equipment suffer back pain as a result of a continuous strain on the spine. Almost 40% of children and adolescents can not keep the body right after they have spent hours at the computer. The bent position is fixed, and then it is very difficult to fix it.
- Provide your children a good place to sleep - this is important for a full rest at night. A child or teenager needs a good bed with an orthopedic mattress and, possibly - without a pillow.
- And most importantly - watch the weight of the baby! Provide him with a healthy, full and balanced diet and stimulate him to perform physical exercises (about 1 hour per day), because overweight and obesity increase the risk of back pain. It has long been established that for the development of the correct position of the body the swimming pool is most effective, in the summer and in winter skating and skiing. Through physical exercises the respiratory system, back muscles and the press are strengthened, and at the same time correct posture and good mood are acquired.
Training and strengthening of correct posture in childhood is undoubtedly one of the best ways to protect bones, muscles and joints for life. Under these conditions, the formation of a correct posture in a child will become a relaxed and enjoyable occupation, the norm of life.