Mom on the Clock #005

🧠 Why Sitting Posture Matters

Sitting isn’t just about “sitting still.”
It’s about control—of the core, shoulders, hips, and legs. And that control is what lets your child use their hands to feed themselves, write, play, and learn.

Here’s the thing:
✅ Good posture frees the hands
✅ Stability fuels confidence
✅ Alignment prevents fatigue, fidgeting, and frustration

Before a child can move well, they need to hold still well.
That means we build static before dynamic, supported before independent, and core before fine motor.

When my son Emmett was just starting to sit up on his own, he loved to W-sit.
He’d plop down with legs folded out to the side—comfortable, familiar, but not ideal for hip positioning or core strength.

Instead of correcting him every time, I gently offered alternatives: criss-cross legs, long sit, or sitting on a low stool.
I encouraged more core play—tummy time, crawling, climbing—and used chairs like the Upseat or Stokke that gave his body better support.

Then one day, I asked, “How do you sit?”
And without missing a beat, he adjusted on his own—from his W-sitting position to legs forward, posture tall, totally confident.

That moment was quiet proof that all the little reps were adding up.

🧩 How to Develop Sitting at Home

1. Start Supported
Use supportive seating that encourages upright posture and active engagement—not slumping.
✅ Look for 90-90-90 posture: hips, knees, and ankles at 90°
✅ Feet flat on the floor or supported on a footrest

2. Build Core Strength with Tummy Time & Movement
• Daily tummy time for babies
• Prone play (belly-down puzzles, coloring, or books)
• Climbing, crawling, and all-fours play for toddlers and big kids

3. Address W-Sitting Gently
If your child W-sits, guide them into a new position:
• Criss-cross
• Long sit (legs straight out)
• Side sit
Avoid shaming—your goal is variety, not perfection.

4. Master Stillness Before Movement
Before expecting your child to sit well for mealtime, circle time, or play, practice sitting in short bursts with proper support and alignment.

Calm sitting builds the control needed for dynamic movement later.

🔬 Why It Works

• Postural control is a key foundation for everything from handwriting to balance to emotional regulation.
  

• Strong, aligned sitting gives the body the message: “I’m steady, I’m safe, I can use my hands.”
  

• It also reduces fatigue and prevents compensation patterns like slouching, leaning, or constantly fidgeting.

The best part? You don’t need to micromanage it.
Just offer variety, build strength, and give the body time to catch up.