First, always assess the student's position at the desk and adjust accordingly based on the image provided above. Children need a stable core/base of support in order to have the precise finger movement needed for fine motor activities like cutting, drawing, and writing.
A child may need their desk positioning checked if they...
- stand up when working
- swing and kick their feet frequently
- they wrap their ankles around the chair legs
- the top of the table/desk comes up to their armpits
- the child can't sit with their back against the back of the chair and their feet on the floor at the same time
What can teachers do about kids with poor desk positioning?
- Is the desk height adjustable? If yes, ask the custodian for help.
- Is another chair or desk available in the building (in storage? can you swap with a different classroom?)
- Can you find a way to adjust the furniture to make it work for that student? (e.g. add a foot stool, block of books, or bouncy band to help support the student's feet) At this point, feel free to ask OT for recommendations as well.
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