Several health studies have identified the years zero (0) to eight (8) as the formative years of a child's life. This is the period of time when the majority of a child's physical, mental, and social development occurs. Various factors can influence a child's growth and development during this time.
For this reason, parents need to pay attention to their children’s lifestyles — nutrition, sleep, environment, and education are all essential things to consider as your kid grows. Surprisingly, the time they spend sitting at a desk is equally vital to their development.
In fact, recent scientific research has found that children are also susceptible to the risks associated with a sedentary life. This explains why height-adjustable desks are becoming increasingly popular in schools and are used by kids today.
In this article, we'll discuss the best choice for a child’s healthy development between a regular desk and a standing desk under the following topics.
1. Physical Fitness
This is central to a child’s development and growth. It plays a significant role in how children view themselves, thereby influencing their self-esteem. Also, it helps keep various diseases and health issues at bay.
Obesity, for example, is one of the consequences of a lack of physical fitness in children. The childhood obesity rate in today’s world is at an all-time high. In fact, approximately 340 million adolescents and 39 million children are obese.
A common cause of obesity is a lack of physical activity, as children and teenagers spend most of their time sitting in front of a screen at home and in school. A study in the United States found that American children spend 65-70% of their time in the classroom on their seats.
This issue can be tackled with the aid of a standing desk. FlexiSpot’s height-adjustable desk, for example, comes in various forms and can be used by children. Unlike regular desks, these standings desks can help children switch between sitting and standing positions effortlessly.
Alternating between sitting and standing will promote children’s development by encouraging physical workouts, even in the middle of other activities. Hence, standing desks will help children burn extra calories and stay fit.
2. Concentration and Attention
It is no secret that children and teenagers often struggle with a short attention span and poor concentration skills. This lack of concentration can affect a child’s development, especially at school or any other learning environment.
Sitting at a regular table, with little activity, can cause your attention to drift away to random thoughts or sights. If this happens to you as a parent, imagine what it must feel like for a child. After all, they are well-known for their lack of concentration and focus.
Standing desks have been found to improve focus and attention in children. In fact, scientific studies have found that using standing desks in classes can help significantly enhance a kid’s overall concentration levels, thereby improving their grades. This means that their mind is less likely to wander off when they are supposed to be focusing on schoolwork and learning.
Additionally, obesity has been associated with a lack of concentration, attention, and motivation. Standing desks can be said to indirectly promote mental acuity in children since they help keep obesity at bay.
3. Body Posture
Contrary to popular opinion, not only adults can be affected by poor posture. Some children also deal with back and neck issues in their everyday lives. A poor posture can be specifically detrimental to a child’s development, considering that their body is usually in a formative or growth stage.
Sitting hunched or reclined at a regular desk in school, at home, or anywhere else can cause various postural issues in children. Merely sitting for long hours can also significantly affect a child’s posture, from curvature and spine misalignment to lower back pain. And this is becoming a common problem as more children are becoming affected by poor posture.
Fortunately, standing desks help tackle postural problems by allowing kids to alternate between sitting and standing. When standing at these work desks, the spine and shoulders will be aligned, helping children maintain good posture.
4. Mental Health
Mental health conditions, like attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are becoming prevalent among kids between the ages of 4 to 17 across the world. Although there are several factors known to contribute to these conditions, a sedentary lifestyle is one of the most significant causes.
Reduced physical activity and a lack of mental stimulation can result in other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. These conditions can hamper the normal development of children, leaving them with an unhappy childhood experience.
With standing desks, children can receive the mental and physical stimulation needed to stay active at home and school. Meanwhile, these furniture pieces also help boost their concentration levels and improve their fitness.
Regular exercise and physical activities enhance the production of endorphins and other ‘feel-good’ hormones that will make kids feel good about themselves. This will not only improve their academic performance but also enrich their perception of life.
Verdict
The developmental stage is such a pivotal stage in a child's life. And as a parent, it is essential to ensure that things go well during your child’s growth. While it may have seemed insignificant initially, this article has demonstrated that your child's desk can greatly impact their development.
Without a doubt, a standing desk offers more to a child’s development than a regular desk. From their physical health to their mental well-being, kids can also enjoy the several health benefits attached to the use of a height-adjustable desk.
