Side sitting is a great alternative to W sitting. Side sitting helps to strengthen up the core, hip and postural muscles. Whereas W sitting relies on the ligaments and bones to hold oneself upright. We want to avoid W sitting as it does not require lots of postural muscle strength. W sitting can inhibit the development of good postural strength and W sitting can cause injury and pain.
Correct Incorrect
Benefits of Side sitting:
- Strengthens hip, trunk and core muscles
- Improves posture for academic, extracurricular tasks and will
- Can increase standing posture and balance
- Make the core muscles as strong as possible for all future exercises and movement
To start- have your learner with both legs stretched out in front of them. Then have them move both legs so that the feet are going to the same side. I tell my learners to imagine you are a mermaid or merman and sweep your tail to one side of your body. If they need help getting out of a W sit position, you can gently readjust their front leg so that both feet are in the same direction.
Progression:
- Start with using both hands for support on legs or ground
- One hand on ground
- No hands on the ground
- Play with toys with one or two hands
Variations:
- Can sit and play high five with your child
- Can side sit and read with your child
- Can side sit while using Ipads or Chromebooks
- Play with legos
- Pretend to drive cars around the legs
- Have your child reach for objects at various heights and positions
Conclusion:
Please talk with your doctor if you are concerned about your child’s sitting posture. The side sitting is a healthy option that increases the hip, core and back strength of your child.
Karen McDonald- Hurley, MSPT is a physical therapist in the school system. She is co-founder with Lindsey Meyers Bertone of Functional Fitness Spectrum. Karen also has 3 children ages 14, 16, and 18.
This blog is for informational purposes only. The information provided is general in nature. Please contact us for specific recommendations or check out our website: https://ablfitness.org/
Let us know in the comments below, what were your successes and difficulties with your learner with side sitting.
