Standing up to do work

[youbethemummylion]

DS7 in year 3 has always had a problem sitting still. Even at him when sat eating tea or sat on the sofa watching TV he is constantly fidgety. He always does his homework standing at the table he starts off sitting but gradually slides off his chair until he is standing next to it. I've just had parents evening and the teacher has said DSs concentration and handwriting etc have much improved since she started letting him stand up to work. Now obviously this is great if it helps him but should they be concentrating on helping him do these things sitting down. Its not as if he can stand up the whole time in Secondary school is it. I have tried to address this at home but he just gets upset and says he is trying to sit still he just cant.

He has a long time until secondary school, if the school are happy to work with him this way then I think that's brilliant. You might find he naturally sits more as he gets older but even if he doesn't then he will be of an age where you can chat it through and work something out.

I had class mates in secondary that would alternate between sitting and crouching if done quietly it doesn't disturb anyone so teachers had no problem with it.

He's not alone: www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26937454

Apparently it is better for our health to stand and more offices, etc should consider it.

I wouldn't worry about it too much at the moment. It is great that the school has acknowledged this imo and are allowing him the chance to work in a way which suits him best.

It is another 4 years til secondary school, time for lots to change.

Oh great thanks for the reassurance DH said I was worrying about nothing but you know when you get something in your head its hard to stop it niggling away at you. But yes I was impresses his teacher allowed it rather than just telling him off for wriggling.

have you thought about trying a move n sit cushion for your ds? Not sure if it would help but have read reviews about it helping children to sit.

My DS stands to work too. In yr 1 he used to pogo up and down while doing his work, he has always had very good concentration. The pogoing stopped by about yr 2/3, but he still likes standing and has just started secondary. His teachers have, apart from one, been happy for him to stand. His lovely yr 1 teacher thought the pogoing was hilarious, which it was. He still pogoes up and down watching tv now, he hates sitting still.

I have colleagues who stand to work, apparently it's healthier. :

My DS Is in yr 4 and the same.

I have the same concerns. We bought him a wobble cushion which helped initially but the novelty's worn off.

Does he stand and lean over the table or have a higher surface.

Maybe I need to let him do homework on the kitchen worktop.

He leans over which is probably not great for his back. At home he stands at the kitchen table which is higher than a school desk so seems about right for him.