“W-sitting” is a commonly used position by children due to the stability it provide. Since their legs are fanned out, they are given a significant amount of support with the least amount of effort possible. Unfortunately, the “W” position comes with many potential problems:
- Orthopedic Problems
- Delayed Development of Postural Control and Stability
- Delayed Development of Refined Motor Skills
- These are the primary reasons why having a child sit in this position is strongly discouraged. We want our children to grow strong, and this type of sitting prevents that. It also puts unnecessary strain on the body.
That’s why almost every professional orthopedist will warn you not to allow your children to sit like this. But many parents do not know or recognize the danger of letting a child sit like this for too long. The only way to stop or fix this poor seating habit is with consistency. Teach the child how to sit correctly ( with their legs straightened up, or maybe, crisscrossed) and remind them of how to sit on the floor.
