Top 4 Ergonomic Tips for Students

Top 4 Ergonomic Tips for Students

Has your child’s school shifted to an online curriculum? 

Recent reports predict that ‘back-to-school’ would inevitably return to distance learning mode in the coming weeks. That means your children will spend a lot of time studying at home. It would help if you incorporated our ergonomic tips for students in their working area to ensure that their bodies are not affected by their sedentary studying environment.

Have a look at essential adjustments you can make to create an ergonomic-focused study zone:

1. Screen Level

Your first task is to tailor the study area to your child’s size. If they are continually working on laptops or computers, they set it up according to their height. Bring the monitor at eye level to ensure that they are sitting straight when they work. That way, their neck and spine would be naturally erect, and they won’t need to hunch over to watch the screen.

If the monitor is non-adjustable, you can place books/magazines or small boxes underneath it. Or change your child’s seating position to achieve the ideal angle.

2. Back Support

Children can easily slip or slouch when they are studying for prolonged hours. We recommend choosing a chair suitable for their small frame.  It will enable them to sit correctly and maintain a good posture for more extended periods.

That said, you can adjust an adult chair to meet their needs too.

Here are a few things that could work:

·       Depending on availability, place comfy pillows or big books for back support

·       If your child is small, they can sit on top of a cushion to sit in an appropriate position

·       Make sure that the child can reach the keyboard and mouse comfortably to ensure that they don’t recline while typing

These minor adjustments can improve posture and reduce the chance of early back pain.

3. Arms & Legs

An underrated ergonomic tip for students is the position of their arms and legs. The rule of thumb is to place them at a 90° angle from the keyboard and desk. That means their elbows must be at a perpendicular angle while they type, while their shoulders stay relaxed. It prevent wrist, arm, and shoulder pain.

Most teenagers will find it easy to keep their legs in this position. In contrast, younger kids might require more assistance. If their feet don’t reach the ground while sitting, they need a small stepping stool to bend their knees at a 90° angle.

Pro tip: Invest in wireless computer accessories to create an ergonomic study zone.

4. Keep Them Moving

Research shows that sitting for too long can affect physical and mental health. You can prevent that by encouraging the children to move around between their sessions.  Arrange different study spots for offline activities. These include setting an outdoor activity table for arts and crafts, if possible.

These changes will allow them to get away from the screen and move around occasionally. You can also schedule playtime for younger kids to shake off their boredom.

The Importance of an Ergonomic Study Space

Spending extensive periods with curved necks and backs can build-up tension around your child’s muscles.  Without intervention, it could drastically change your child’s spinal structure or cause chronic muscle back pain. Other health problems might pop up if you are not careful. It includes obesity, poor balance, overexertion, etc. 

Setting a proper study space can prevent long-term effects. That is because it ensures that your child studies in a natural and ergonomic environment.

Parting Words

In the end, use our ergonomic tips for students to ensure that distance learning doesn’t become a pain in the back (or neck) for them. All of these suggestions are easy to set up and don’t require any over-the-top expenses.

Do you want to know more? Learn more insights and tips for our blog. https://specializednj.com/news-and-articles/

Together, we can ensure that you can safely return regular routines while maintaining your health, staying active, and improving your quality of life. 

Visit Specialized Physical Therapy today or schedule an online consultation with our physical therapists!