We always hear the mantra, “sit up straight!” from the adults in our lives. So, you would think that the sitting we do for six hours a day at school would be based around this idea. But this isn’t the case, and it isn’t hard to see how much of a negative impact sitting has on every student.
The desks in classrooms are all uniform: hard seats, uncomfortable backrests, large gaps between the backrest and desk, and an overall rigid structure. All of these qualities cause students to slouch forward in order to reach their desks and write, or sit very closely to the edge of the seat to be able to sit straight and do their work. The former is bad for posture and the latter gets tiring very quickly.
The rigid structure of the desks that keeps it connected to the seat creates almost a cage-like environment where students can’t move closer or farther back to their liking. We all acknowledge that everyone has different body shapes, yet all our desks are the same. For a small person, the desk could be too far from the backrest of the seat. For a tall person, it is uncomfortable to lean forward or crouch down to write on their desks. If we accept all different types of body shapes then the desks at school should reflect that.
The desks in classrooms are all uniform: hard seats, uncomfortable backrests, large gaps between the backrest and desk, and an overall rigid structure. All of these qualities cause students to slouch forward in order to reach their desks and write, or sit very closely to the edge of the seat to be able to sit straight and do their work. The former is bad for posture and the latter gets tiring very quickly.
The rigid structure of the desks that keeps it connected to the seat creates almost a cage-like environment where students can’t move closer or farther back to their liking. We all acknowledge that everyone has different body shapes, yet all our desks are the same. For a small person, the desk could be too far from the backrest of the seat. For a tall person, it is uncomfortable to lean forward or crouch down to write on their desks. If we accept all different types of body shapes then the desks at school should reflect that.
When students are uncomfortable, it is harder to concentrate on the lesson or the worksheet that is in front of them. Creating a comfortable environment in which movement is possible allows for greater productivity. We feel more at ease when we’re not stuck in a hard chair and an uncomfortable sitting position for six hours a day.
There is a way to get the best of both worlds, comfort and good posture. By removing the conjoined seat and desk, students can sit according to their own preference and are not restricted. With the rise of new project-based-learning curriculums, it is even better to get larger, adjustable tables with wheels so that collaboration becomes easy and students are given leg room.
Sitting around for hours a day with little breaks in between is tiring. It hurts students’ posture and forces them into an uncomfortable position for a long time. Getting rid of these uniform desks will not only fix posture and allow for freedom, it will create a better environment in the classroom overall.
There is a way to get the best of both worlds, comfort and good posture. By removing the conjoined seat and desk, students can sit according to their own preference and are not restricted. With the rise of new project-based-learning curriculums, it is even better to get larger, adjustable tables with wheels so that collaboration becomes easy and students are given leg room.
Sitting around for hours a day with little breaks in between is tiring. It hurts students’ posture and forces them into an uncomfortable position for a long time. Getting rid of these uniform desks will not only fix posture and allow for freedom, it will create a better environment in the classroom overall.