Login info? CHECK! Daily schedule? CHECK! School supplies? CHECK! You’ve probably thought of most everything to prepare for this crazy school year, but there are some things you might not have thought about. Here are a few ergonomic and logistical tips for getting through this season of remote learning.
SEATING TIPS: Poor ergonomics can result in neck strain, back pain, and other discomfort. Whether your child is on a computer or just sitting at the dining room table working on writing or other fine motor skills, it’s important to be aware of posture and positioning, especially considering the length of time our kids will be engaged in remote learning each day. Check out this great visual resource to give you tips on how to position your child properly.
photo credit: @allinclusivetherapy
DESK ALTERNATIVE: Have multiple kids in a tight space? This clever idea of making custom dividers eliminates the need for individual desks! They even double as organizers to help keep your kids on track. Find all the details from Angelina Harper here!
photo credit: Angelina Harper
BLUE LIGHT GLASSES: Blue light is all around us, but we tend to get the heaviest doses through screens – phones, tablets, computers, and televisions. While the long-term effects on kids aren’t clear, blue light is proven to interfere with sleep. It affects melatonin production, and 6.5 hours of screens in a day can delay a child’s sleep by as much as three hours. If your child already struggles with sleep – or if you find that they start have trouble winding down once you’ve started remote learning – you might want to try blue-light-filtering glasses.
photo credit: iStock/Chinnapong
LIGHTING: Avoid eye strain by making sure your child’s space is well-lit for their old-fashioned pen-and-paper or reading activities. Consider a lamp to light the space.
photo credit: iStock/rogkov
EXTERNAL MOUSE & KEYBOARD: If your child is using a laptop, the screen should be at eye height to avoid neck strain. This means the mouse and keyboard are far too high for comfort and proper positioning. If you can, consider adding an external mouse and/or keyboard to encourage proper posture.
20-20-20: Your child’s eyes need a break from screens. The 20-20-20 rule says that every 20 minutes, take a break and look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
photo credit: iStock/nata_zhekova
Remember, perfect is the enemy of good. Don’t feel like you have to do EVERYTHING. But if your child is struggling with sleep, distraction, or comfort, a few small changes can help. You got this!
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