A posture means an individual / child balancing his / her body specifically. Proper posture is that in which the child does not feel any effort in balancing his body weight or both the feet with equilibrium. In the proper posture, the trunk of the body that is the spine is parallel to the head and neck like a perpendicular line. All the parts of the body work harmoniously. The normal child does not feel any kind of fatigue or strain, when he / she is in the proper postural position. Proper postures result in good appearance, efficiency in movement, ‘physical fitness’ and alertness. We can hardly ignore the seriousness of poor postures. They adversely affect the health, physical efficiency, mental attitude and appearance of an individual. Most of our diseases are the outcome of the poor postures. A teacher can do much in the classroom work and physical instruction period to prevent bad postural habits in the students.

Characteristics of Good Postures

• A good posture implies that body is held without any sort of effort, with its weight, equally distributed over both the legs and feet so as to produce less fatigue.
• A good posture keeps equilibrium among all the parts of the body.
• A posture is dynamic and it varies with every activity.
• It is not necessary that we may always stand in a certain position or sit firmly in a chair in order to have a good posture.
• The secret of good posture is a frequent change of positions.
• Remaining in one posture for a long time is fatigue – causing.
• Posture is more than a physical condition.
• A posture reflects the emotions and the moods of an individual.
• A posture indicates the attitude of both body and mind.
• A good posture makes it possible for the alignments and muscles to maintain position of the body which are conducive to efficient movement.
• Good postures keep us in natural state or in working conditions.
• Good posture is largely an individual matter of common sense.
• Certain postures may be inherited.
• Postures can be modified through training.

Major Adverse Effects of Poor Postures

1. They interfere in normal working of respiration, circulation and digestion.
2. They badly affect the eye sight.
3. They spoil handwriting because students will not be able to hold the pen properly.
4. They lead to round shoulders and dropping body.
5. They decrease physical efficiency and develop laziness.
6. They develop crooked bodies which are not normal in shape, and look very unpleasant.
7. They result in undesirable traits, lack of courage timidness.

Causes of Poor Postures

1. Congenital postural deformities by birth.
2. Postural defects on account of diseases.
3. Postural defects through accident or injury.
4. More mental work.
5. Wrong postural habits due to lack of information regarding correct positions.
6. Defective desks and seats compelling the students to stretch and cramp their bodies.
7. Wrong sitting positions.
8. Wrong reading positions.
9. Defective eye sight.
10. Defective hearing.
11. Illness of the students.
12. Fatigue
13. Physical weakness
14. Lack of proper diet
15. Lack of adequate air.

General Remedial Measures for Proper Postures

• The students should be asked to take regular exercise to strengthen muscles.
• Suitable furniture should be provided.
• Good postural habits should be developed.
• Stools should be provided for smaller children so that they may learn to sit without reclining against the chair.
• Suitable corrective postural exercises should be recommended to the students.
• Rooms should be suitably ventilated.
• Bold type of books should be selected.
• Help of school medical officer should be sought.
• Time table should be arranged that students do not feel the impact of fatigue.
• Causes of students’ tension should be removed.
• Sufficient sitting space should be provided to the students.
• Nutritious and balanced mid day meals should be provided to the students.
• Proper arrangement for sufficient light should be made in the classroom.
• Teachers should check wrong postures of the students.
• Small children should not be engaged too much in drill.

By: Kaung | KMKBlog.com