07/07/2021
🐒W-sitting🐒
I corrected a child’s sitting the other day, and people looked at me with a question mark expression. Kids have been W-sitting for decades, but child development experts have warned that it is actually detrimental to a child’s development.
🐒What is W-sitting?🐒
This is a common position in which some children like to sit on the floor. They sit on their bum, with their knees bent and rotated inwards, so their lower legs and feet are on the floor beside them. If you look at the child from the top, it forms a W shape.
This may look like an uncomfortable position to an adult, but children are much more flexible than adults, so this is actually a very comfortable way to sit,
🐒Why do kids W-sit?🐒
W-sitting is an easy, stable position for a child to sit. It leaves their hands free to play, and they don’t have to work hard to keep their balance.
Children with low muscle tone, decreased balance, and core muscle control, usually prefer to W-sit.
🐒Is it okay if my child only does this occasionally?🐒
W-sitting is developmentally appropriate, and all children will sit this way in their life, especially around the age of 3 years.
Problems, however, arise when children start sitting this way for extended periods. Children form habits very easily, so preventing them from forming the habit is much easier than breaking the habit once it has formed.
🐒Why is W-sitting bad?🐒
Since it is an easy way to sit without using their core muscles, it may have many negative effects.
🪑It may delay the development of their core muscle control and stability. This may cause delayed development of fine motor skills and mature movements necessary for later skills. They usually rotate their trunk less, so they don’t often cross the midline. This will cause delays in their fine motor development to later be able to cut with a scissor, write neatly, and even tie their shoelaces.
🪑Since the hips are rotated excessively, it may tighten some and stretch other muscles around the hips, causing balance and coordination problems when older. If your child prefers walking on their toes or with their feet turned in, this needs to be investigated further since it may be due to the tightened muscles.
🪑When a child sits normally, they constantly have to shift their position and turn their bodies to play. Children sitting in a W-position for too long makes them reliant on a wide base of support, and they need to shift their weight around less. They also rely less on their core muscles for postural control.
🪑W-sitting can also lead to poor posture later in child- and adulthood, leading to back and hip pain.
🪑This way of sitting can prevent the development of a hand preference. They can’t turn their trunk effectively, so they prefer playing on one side or only use one hand on the same side. This may lead to coordination problems in the future.
🪑W-sitting can cause the hips to prefer to remain in rotation, causing an abnormality in the way they walk.
🪑Children diagnosed with hip problems like hip dysplasia should be discouraged from sitting this way, as it may increase the risk of hip dislocation.
🐒Can it be a sign of other problems?🐒
If your child constantly falls, is clumsy, has delayed motor milestones, poor posture, and prefers to W-sit, consider seeing your paediatrician for an assessment. Occupational therapists and Physiotherapists can also assist with an assessment if you are worried.
🐒What is the best way for my child to sit then?🐒
🦵Cross-legged – try to teach them to alternate the leg going on top as well.
🦵Side-sitting – In this position, they are seated with their knees bent and both feet at the same side.
🦵Long-sitting – both legs straight to the front
🦵Sailor-sitting -both knees bent with their feet touching.
🦵Kneeling or squatting
🐒How can you prevent W-sitting?🐒
This takes a lot of work from your side. You need to constantly make them aware they are sitting in this position when you catch them doing it. Have a verbal cue that makes them aware, like: “sit nicely” or “feet forward.”
Show them other ways of sitting, like crossing their legs or sitting with their legs straight. After showing them a few times, the verbal cue will be enough.
Explain to your child why you don’t want them sitting in the W-position. Tell them it builds strong tummy muscles so they can play even better.
Try to keep it positive. Make up a song, tickle them or blow a whistle. Your child will respond much more to positive acts.
🐒What if my child is already W-sitting often?🐒
W-sitting quickly becomes a habit since it’s much easier for your child to sit this way.
You will need to find activities to strengthen your child’s core, and you can achieve this by allowing them to play as much as possible outside. Allow them to climb, kick and hang as much as they want. Balancing on a balance beam or even just playing some Twister can motivate them to use those core muscles and rotate their trunk.
If there is no improvement In your child’s core strength, consult with a physiotherapist to assist.
Use verbal cues as mentioned above, and expect some resistance at the beginning. Praise your child when you catch them sitting in the correct position.
