Despite the two vaccines for COVID-19, we still seem to be a long way from normal. There are still many children learning in a virtual environment. Unfortunately, many of those kids are lying in bed with a laptop. That’s a sure way to end up with back and neck issues from an early age. What can you do to help your child protect their spine health while learning from home? Here are five tips for an ergonomic virtual learning station.
- 90-degree angles are essential for spine and joint health – This means the chair and desk your child is using should allow for a 90-angle in the knees, hips, and elbows. A desk chair that adjusts makes it a lot easier to achieve this type of setup. Also, a footrest may help your child to be able to sit up straight without their legs dangling.
- Keep monitors at eye level – Craning the neck to look down at a screen is a sure way to end up with neck problems. You may have heard of the “text neck” phenomenon that occurs from looking down at a phone over and over throughout the day. Imagine the effects of looking at a screen that is too low all day long, especially for a child who is still growing.
- Have your child’s vision checked – If your child is having vision problems, they may be leaning in toward the screen to see better. This can also throw off posture. Plus, vision problems can lead to chronic headaches if not corrected. If you catch your child squinting or leaning in toward the screen, schedule an eye exam as soon as possible.
- Avoid learning on the couch or in bed – Not only is this bad for paying attention, but there is also no way to maintain proper posture in these settings.
- Consider a sit/stand learning station – Sit/stand desks adjust height to allow your child to stand for part of the day. While standing all day can cause different issues from sitting, going back and forth throughout the day is actually the best for your posture.
Help for Misalignments caused by Postural Issues
Your child may have been learning online for nearly a year at this point. If you find that they are having trouble with posture in general, a chiropractic adjustment may help. Ward Chiropractic & Rehabilitation is here for your family in the Fairfax, Virginia area. Contact us today at 703.672.1661 to schedule an appointment. We offer early morning, evening, and weekend appointments to meet your family’s busy schedule.
