2. A handy guide for teachers about …

3. P O S T U R E

4. P O S T U R E

5. Engagement Classroom School Community Learning Content Instruction Relationships Student Staff Student Staff Families Core Practices, Services & Programs IF A STUDENT ISN’T SUCCESSFUL? SOME Students Classroom Specific Supports School/District Wide Supports FEW Students Time Limited Specialized Support FEWER Students Long Term Intensive Specialized Support FEWEST Students ASSESSMENT ALL Students COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS © MMSD 10.16.02

6. Wisconsin Teacher Standards Standard #3 - the teacher understands how pupils differ in their approaches to learning and the barriers that impede learning and can adapt instruction to meet the diverse needs of pupils, including those with disabilities and exceptionalities.

7. Posture What is it? Why do we need it? What does it have to do with education? What can we do about it?

8. Good Posture is the body’s automatic mechanism for holding itself up against gravity in the most efficient manner. An inability to achieve or maintain postures may be an indication of: muscle imbalances skeletal problems arousal/attention issues sensory issues What is Posture?

9. Why do we need Posture?

10. Posture prepares our body to move and to respond to movements.

16. What is good posture? Good posture refers to the proper alignment of head, shoulders, trunk, hips and feet. Proper posture helps us avoid muscle strain and injury. Your body should be well-aligned, relaxed and always responding to gravity’s forces.

17. Check list for Good Standing Posture Chin tucked and ears over the shoulders Head erect and facing forward, not tilted to one side or the other Shoulders back and down slightly, even and relaxed Abdominal muscles tightened and buttocks tucked in Knees are neither locked nor bent Feet flat on the floor, not on tip toes

18. Check list for Good Sitting Posture Back supported by chair, but chair should not compress behind the knee Feet firmly on a surface for support with a 90 degree angle at the knee Head balanced on neck (not tilted back or too far forward) Arms close to body and relaxed

19. What does posture have to do with education?

20. All areas of school life will show problems with comfort and fatigue as a result of poor posture. This impacts the ability of the student to be available for learning.

21. In the Classroom Floor sitting – Poor posture will impact attending. The length of time that students can be expected to sit on the floor is 10-15 minutes maximum. (How long are students expected to sit on the floor during assemblies or in the classroom?) Desk – Poor posture impacts fine motor, writing (speed, efficiency, and legibility), and attending. The length of time students can be expected to work at desks is dependent on the age of the student. (How long are they sitting for standardized testing?)

22. EC – 2 nd grade = 15-20 minutes 3 rd – 5 th grade = up to 30 minutes 6th -12th grade = 50 minutes with a movement break Sitting Guidelines

23. In Special Classes Art – Poor posture will impact the use of both hands (control of materials, use of tools), and will challenge sitting balance on stools with no back support. Music – Poor posture will impact breath support, and the ability to manage instruments. (Are folding chairs, sized for adults, being used for students?) Physical Education – Poor posture will impact the force of throwing/kicking and efficiency of movement. It also will impact a student's persistence and endurance.

24. In Special Classes (cont.) Computer – Poor posture will impact the speed of keyboarding. Lunchroom – Poor posture will impact the use of both hands, and control of utensils, and will challenge the student’s sitting balance on benches with no back support.

25. What can we do about student's posture? If a student is showing signs of having difficulty with activities, look at his/her classroom sitting posture, the school furniture, and the ergonomics (structuring the situation so body mechanics are the most efficient, safe, and comfortable).

26. Proper fit of desk and chair height to a child’s individual size is imperative to optimal sitting posture. Proper desk/chair height helps maximize stability for best performance of fine motor activities. What Can We Do…

27. How does the chair fit the student? How is the seat depth? Are the feet flat on the floor? –A small footrest may be used for support if the child’s feet do not reach the floor. This can be fabricated out of a variety of materials (such as old phone books and duct tape) and attached to the legs of the chair if necessary. – Allowing the feet to dangle may place undue strain on the back, fail to provide stability and may reduce blood circulation to the legs.

28. How does the desk fit the student? It is important to adjust the desk or table height relative to the child’s seat height and arm position. Desk height should be slightly above bent elbow level with 2-3”clearance beneath for legs. Shoulders should be relaxed and not elevated, when elbows are resting on the surface.

29. If a child continues to have difficulty maintaining upright posture for work completion, given appropriate height of desk and size of chair, positioning options may help…. Options for Enhancing Posture

30. Positioning Options A wedged seat may mechanically facilitate an upright back position. A pillow or lumbar support may be placed in the chair's back.

31. Provide positioning alternatives to chair/desk, such as standing, kneeling, lying on stomach, sitting on large gymnastic ball, or other movable surfaces that allow weight shift (such as “Move n Sit”, ”Sit Fit”). Positioning Options (cont.)

32. Positioning of materials may help: Paper position Slanted writing surface

33. Provide movement breaks throughout the day. This will reduce muscle fatigue.

34. Other activities to consider

35. Computers Computer screens should be positioned so head and neck do not have to tilt. Risk of postural problems associated with computer use depend upon the length of time a child uses the computer without taking a break. There are software programs designed to give on- screen alerts to “take a break” (“Time Buddy” and “Say the Time”)

36. Backpacks Heavy backpacks cause pain, aches, and fatigue. Students with scoliosis should never carry heavy loads on their backs and shoulders.

37. Backpacks (cont.) Heavy backpacks cause a tendency for the body to want to fall backward. Resisting this force takes extra energy and can lead to adverse symptoms. When worn properly, backpacks are easier on backs than bags carried on 1 shoulder.

38. Recommended limits set forth by American Chiropractic Association, American Physical Therapy Association, and AAOS: Person's weight / Backpack weight 60 lbs……………….5 lbs 60-65 lbs...………….10 lbs 100 lbs..…………….15 lbs 125 lbs..…………….18 lbs 150 lbs..…………….20 lbs 200+ lbs..…………... 25 lbs (If the load forces the wearer to lean forward to carry it, the load is too heavy. No one should carry more than 25 pounds on their back.)

39. Better Backpacks Select backpacks that have wide, padded straps and several compartments that distribute the load (Narrow straps can restrict circulation.). Have students wear both shoulder straps. Position the backpack so that it hangs just below the shoulders and rests on hips and pelvis.

40. Strategies to consider to lighten the load Provide lockers Provide two sets of textbooks for those who have trouble carrying additional weight Foreshadow which books will be needed and which ones can be left at home Instruct children to put heavy bags down when waiting or standing in line

41. Staff Resources Teachers within your building Building principal Occupational therapists and physical therapists in your building Custodians within your building Other resource teachers and support staff within the district

42. References Back Pack Safety http://www.backpacksafe.com Barrington School District 220 (Illinois) “Pre-OT/PT Referral Interventions for Classroom Difficulties”

43. References Say the Time http://www.provenio.ws/saythetime/ Seating for Task Performance http://www.rehabpub.com./features/672002/8.asp Time Buddy http://visualversion.com/timebuddy/index.html

44. Contributors Developed by the following MMSD staff : OT/PT Posture Committee Teaching and Learning Staff Educational Services Program Support Teachers and Staff