Presenter s Guide A Handy Guide for Teachers about Posture

Transcription

1 Presenter s Guide A Handy Guide for Teachers about Posture Building: Materials needed: Brochure Optional Props: chair table desk therapy ball wedge cushion backpack computer set-up phone book binder volunteer(s) Contributors: MMSD OT / PT Posture Committee Teaching and Learning Staff Educational Services Program Support Teachers and Staff Last Update: 5/23/05

2 Slide 1 REGULAR EDUCATION STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE THE LEARNING PROCESS Slide 2 A handy guide for teachers about Slide 3 R O E T P S U

3 Slide 4 P O S T U R E Slide 5 Engagement Learning Relationships Classroom Content Student Student School Instruction Student Staff Community Staff Staff Staff Families Core Practices, Services & Programs ALL Students ASSESSMENT IF A STUDENT ISN T SUCCESSFUL? Classroom Specific Supports SOME Students This presentation focuses on students in the green and yellow boxes of the Educational Framework. COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS School/District Wide Supports FEW Students Time Limited Specialized Support FEWER Students Long Term Intensive Specialized Support FEWEST Students COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS MMSD Slide 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.

4 Slide 7 Posture What is it? Why do we need it? What does it have to do with education? What can we do about it? Slide 8 What is Posture? 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 Slide 9 Why do we need Posture?

5 Slide 10 Posture prepares our body to move and to respond to movements. Slide 11 Slide 12

6 Slide 13 Slide 14 Slide 15

7 Slide 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. Slide 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 Ask for a volunteer to demonstrate appropriate standing posture. Slide 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 Ask for a volunteer to demonstrate appropriate sitting posture.

8 Slide 19 What does posture have to do with education? Slide 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. Slide 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 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?)

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

10 Slide 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). Slide 26 What Can We Do 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. Slide 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. Ask for a volunteer to demonstrate appropriate chair fit.

11 Slide 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. Ask for a volunteer to demonstrate appropriate desk fit. Slide 29 Options for Enhancing Posture 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. Slide 30 Positioning Options A wedged seat may mechanically facilitate an upright back position. Demonstrate use of a wedge seat cushion. These cushions may already be available in your building. A pillow or lumbar support may be placed in the chair's back.

12 Slide 31 Positioning Options (cont.) 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 ). Demonstrate use of a therapy ball. Ball chairs are available in office supply stores. Slide 32 Positioning of materials may help: Paper position Demonstrate use of a binder as an example of an inexpensive slanted writing surface. Slanted writing surface Slide 33 Provide movement breaks throughout the day. This will reduce muscle fatigue.

13 Slide 34 Other activities to consider Slide 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 onscreen alerts to take a break ( Time Buddy and Say the Time ) Demonstrate appropriate computer set-up in relation to seated position. Slide 36 Backpacks Heavy backpacks cause pain, aches, and fatigue. Students with scoliosis should never carry heavy loads on their backs and shoulders.

14 Slide 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. Slide 38 Recommended limits set forth by American Chiropractic Association, American Physical Therapy Association, and AAOS: Person's weight / Backpack weight 60 lbs. 5 lbs lbs lbs 100 lbs lbs 125 lbs lbs 150 lbs lbs 200+ lbs 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.) Slide 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. Ask for a volunteer to demonstrate appropriate backpack positioning.

15 Slide 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 Slide 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 Slide 42 References Back Pack Safety Barrington School District 220 (Illinois) Pre-OT/PT Referral Interventions for Classroom Difficulties

16 Slide 43 References Say the Time Seating for Task Performance Time Buddy Slide 44 Contributors MMSD OT/PT Posture Committee Teaching and Learning Staff Educational Services Program Support Teachers and Staff Slide 45 The Madison Metro School District does not discriminate in its educational programs, related activities (including Schoolcommunity Recreation) and employment practices as required by applicable local, state and federal laws. December 2004