W sitting is a sitting position where a child sits on their bottom with their knees bent and feet positioned outside their hips, causing their legs to form a “W” shape. This position is often adopted by young children during playtime or other activities and has been a topic of concern among parents and healthcare professionals. W sitting directly can affect brain development in children and it can impact a child’s physical development and posture. Sitting in this position for extended periods can lead to hip and knee joint problems, as well as tightness in the leg muscles. It can also weaken the core muscles, which are important for maintaining balance and stability. The core and pelvic muscles are required for good balance, stability, and coordination.
As a result, children who frequently W sit may struggle with gross motor skills, such as running, jumping, and throwing, as well as fine motor skills, such as handwriting and drawing.
When it comes to brain development, posture plays a critical role in sensory and motor development. Proper posture helps children develop strong core muscles, which support healthy spinal alignment and facilitate proper functioning of the nervous system.
It’s important for parents and caregivers to encourage children to adopt proper sitting positions. You can discourage w-sitting by showing them other ways to sit. Encourage your child to try these positions:
- Legs crossed
- Legs in front
- Legs to the side
From a speech perspective, a W sitting position does not allow for good respiration, phonation and articulation. A child needs a strong and stable trunk to support the muscles of the jaw, lips and tongue.
To address W sitting, our Osteopaths may use a variety of techniques to help improve a child’s posture, balance, and coordination and can also provide guidance and education to parents and caregivers on ways to encourage better posture and movement patterns in their child. This may involve providing advice on appropriate sitting positions, promoting physical activity and exercise, and offering strategies for managing any pain or discomfort associated with W sitting.
If you are concerned about your child’s posture, motor skills, or ability to learn, ask one of our Paediatric Osteopaths for guidance and support. Our Osteopaths can help with W sitting by assessing a child’s posture, movement patterns, and musculoskeletal system to identify any areas of dysfunction or weakness.
