Student Erogonomics

At least 70 percent of America's 30 million elementary school students use computers, according to a recent New York Times article. As a result, many children are already suffering from chronic pain in the hands, back, neck and shoulders, as well as repetitive motion injuries (RMI) such as carpal tunnel syndrome. ACA suggests the following to help reduce the possibility of your child suffering painful and possibly disabling injuries:

Make sure the your child's workstation chair fits him or her correctly. There should be two inches between the front edge of the seat and his or her knees. The chair should also have arm supports so that elbows rest within a 70- to 135-degree angle to the computer keyboard.

Your child's knees should be positioned at an approximate 90- to 120- degree angle. To accomplish this, feet can be placed on a footrest, box, stool or similar object.

Limit your child's time at the computer and make sure he or she takes periodic breaks during computing time.

Kids and Laptops and Posture: Watching Out for the Slumpssues