Postural defects in preschool children
Why is preschool age an important stage in a child's psychomotor development? What do you need to know about the correct posture of a preschooler and what are the most common posture defects during this period? Whether crooked legs in a child w this century are cause for concern? When are they indicated corrective exercises for preschool children? If you want to know how to protect your young child from posture defects and what to pay attention to in order to consult a specialist in time, read the tips of a physiotherapist who works with children on a daily basis.
The kindergarten has a huge share in shaping the child's new skills, both in terms of psychosocial and motor development. It was during this time toddlers acquire new habits, learn how their body functions, experiment with movement, and strengthen muscle strength.
The development of a preschool child
Even though - compared to infancy - the preschool age is characterized by a slightly slower pace and dynamics of development, there is no doubt that this is a special time for shaping the muscular and skeletal systems. Therefore, physical activity plays an extremely important role in the proper development of our children, as it is a preventive measure.
Properly implemented and dosed physical activity may prevent the need to attend corrective exercises in preschool age.
Is there an ideal body posture?
Body posture is an individual trait for every person. It is the way parts of the body arrange themselves when we stand freely, i.e. assume an unforced upright position. When looking at the silhouettes of people standing in the crowd, you can certainly say that no two models are alike body posturetherefore there is also no ideal attitude.
Expert advises
The body posture of each child should be assessed individually - the body posture of a 3-year-old will be different, the body posture of a 6-year-old (age), the body posture of girls and boys (gender) is slightly different, body weight and other factors are also important. genetic factors. Correct body posture in children is determined by, among others, full range of motion in the joints, enabling proper function (jumping, running, climbing, crawling, etc.) and no pain.
Pre-school posture is characterized by the following features: abdomen protruding forward, increased lumbar lordosis, knee valgus, flat feet. Therefore, not always crooked legs in a preschool child, will be an abnormality - you can read more about it here. However, to assess whether the shape of the legs is physiological for age, it is worth going to a specialist.
Postural defects in preschoolers: what should a parent know?
Round back, concave back, flat back, lateral curvatures of the spine, valgus of the knees, varus of the feet, flat feet - these are just some of the posture defects occurring in preschool age. It is important for the parent to carefully observe his toddler (it is good, at least once every 2 months, to look at the body posture of the child stripped down to the underwear - then you can see irregularities in the form of asymmetric positioning, etc.).
Expert advises
It is also worth talking to kindergarten teachers to find out whether the child is willing to engage in physical activity with peers, or enter the proposed movement games. How often does it change the form of a sitting down, or maybe it always sits in the same, asymmetrical way? Is - reprimanded - able to correct the back position, or is it hunched most of the time? Or maybe the child gets tired faster than its peers?
Body posture balance: at least once a year
Parental observation of the child is extremely important in the diagnostic process, but it cannot replace an examination by a physiotherapist. As a parent who sees your toddler daily, both in motion and in static positions, you may notice some disturbing posture features and consult a specialist.
As a prophylaxis, it is worth making an "balance" of body posture with an orthopedist at least once a year. Properly implemented and individually selected for preschool children corrective exercises help to quickly eliminate the existing problem.
When is it worth visiting a specialist?
Parents often notice the crooked legs of a preschool child, but when observing your child, you need to pay attention to his entire posture and movements. Which in practice should be taken as a signal that a child needs consultation with a physiotherapist?
- Asymmetrically positioned shoulders and shoulder blades, head;
- Increased waist angle on one side;
- Protruding ribs on one side;
- Visible "thickening" on the right or left side of the spine (seen when the baby is facing you back and bends forward);
- Child's knees / ankles positioned differently (asymmetry);
- Sloppy, suspended body posture, frequent support of the head with hands during "table" activities, constant sitting "in the letter W";
- Pain in the back / joints;
- Putting feet (or one foot) inward while walking;
- Condition after limb injuries / fractures.
Corrective exercises in preschool age
The recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) provide a minimum of 60 minutes a day of physical activity (moderate effort). It is just as important variety of movement, avoiding being constantly in one position, satisfying the child's "hunger for movement", as well as motivating him to undertake joint activity - the child learns at this time through imitation and games / movement games.
Corrective exercises in preschool age can be implemented not only when a posture defect already occurs, but also as a form of prevention - remember that good body posture is the basis for the proper development of a child in the future. Therefore, instead of turning on another fairy tale for the preschooler, try to offer him or her riding a bicycle (cross-country / four-wheeled) or scooter, going to the swimming pool, or simply climbing on playground equipment, running races or an obstacle course while walking in the forest.
Physical activity and psychomotor development of a child
Positive the impact of physical activity concerns many aspects of a child's psychomotor developmentwhich include:
- Better functioning of the osteoarticular system
- Better cognitive development, faster learning, memory
- Reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases
- Weight normalization
- Support for the proper functioning of the heart and lungs
- Shaping balance and motor coordination
- Getting to know your own abilities, dealing with emotions better.
To sum up: there is no doubt that every parent who cares about the proper development of their little ones should take care of their various physical activity every day. To counteract posture defects, you should carefully monitor your child's body position and movements and consult an orthopedist and physiotherapist if necessary. Properly selected corrective exercises for preschool children will be helpful in both prevention and treatment.
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