If You See Your Children in W-sitting Position, Immediately Stop Them!

Watch young kids play and you’ll see many of them “W sitting,” or resting their bottom between their feet, legs to either side. This position is extremely common for children due to the stability it provides. Since their legs are fanned out, they are given a significant amount of support with the least amount of effort possible.

Unfortunately, the “W” position comes with many potential problems. Many parents do not know or recognize the danger of letting a child sit like this for too long. Sitting in a “W” position too often or for too long can negatively impact a child’s development and growth patterns.

THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF “W-SITTING” INCLUDE:

• Orthopedic Problems
• Delayed Development of Postural Control and Stability
• Delayed Development of Refined Motor Skills

HOW W-SITTING AFFECTS YOUR CHILD’S MOVEMENT ABILITIES

Excessive use of a “W-sit” during the growing years puts undue stress on the hip abductors, hamstrings, internal rotators and heel cords, leading to the possibility of orthopedic problems in the future. “W-sitting” can lead to hip dislocation, and for children with pre-existing orthopedic conditions, these conditions can worsen when major muscle groups are placed in shortened positions. The muscles begin to tighten, and this can lead to a permanent shortening of the muscle, which can affect coordination, balance, and development of motor skills.

HOW TO PREVENT W-SITTING.

The most effective (and easiest) way to prevent a problem with W-sitting is to prevent it from becoming a habit it the first place. Anticipate and catch it before the child even learns to W-sit. Children should be placed and taught to assume alternative sitting positions. If a child discovers W-sitting anyway, help him to move to another sitting position, or say, “Fix your legs.” It’s very important to be as consistent as possible.

If a kid is not able to sit alone in any position other than a W, talk with a therapist about supportive seating or some other optional positions such as prone and side lying. Another position is Tailor sitting against the couch; a small table and chair. A therapist will have many other ideas based on each individual child.

Nails In The Fence Story - A lesson about anger

There once was a young boy with a very bad temper. 

The boy's father wanted to teach him a lesson, so he gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper he must hammer a nail into their wooden fence.

On the first day of this lesson, the little boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. He was really mad!

Over the course of the next few weeks, the little boy began to control his temper, so the number of nails that were hammered into the fence dramatically decreased.

It wasn't long before the little boy discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Then, the day finally came when the little boy didn't lose his temper even once, and he became so proud of himself, he couldn't wait to tell his father.

Pleased, his father suggested that he now pull out one nail for each day that he could hold his temper.

Several weeks went by and the day finally came when the young boy was able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

Very gently, the father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.

"You have done very well, my son," he smiled, "but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same."

The little boy listened carefully as his father continued to speak.

"When you say things in anger, they leave permanent scars just like these. And no matter how many times you say you're sorry, the wounds will still be there.

Be careful with YOUR words.