Ah, summer. The glorious season of late bedtimes, endless snacks, and… slouching like a sleepy sloth on the couch for hours of screen time. While we’re all for some well-earned relaxation, your child’s posture might not be having quite as much fun.
When school’s out, posture tends to check out too. But it doesn’t have to! With a little awareness (and a sprinkle of fun), you can help your kids stay posture-strong all summer long.
Why Posture Matters (Even in the Summer)
Good posture isn’t just about looking confident (though it definitely helps with that too). It supports your child’s growing body, improves balance and coordination, and reduces the risk of future aches and pains.
So, before your kid becomes one with the beanbag chair, try these posture-saving strategies:
🖥️ Screen Time Ergonomics: Set It Up for Success
Let’s be real – screens are inevitable. But posture pain doesn’t have to be.
- Prop it up: Tablets should be at eye level, not lap level. Use a stand or even a stack of books.
- Back support: Sitting on the couch? Make sure they’re sitting tall at least 10 minutes per hour
- Feet flat: Whether gaming or watching YouTube, make sure their feet are flat on the floor (or a box) and knees are at 90 degrees.
- 20/20/20 rule: Every 20 minutes, have them look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Bonus points if they stand and stretch too!
🏃 Posture-Friendly Summer Activities
The more your kids move, the better their posture stays. Balance out screen time with these movement-based fun activities:
- Swim like a superhero: Swimming strengthens the core, shoulders, and back — major posture muscles.
- Obstacle courses: Set one up in the backyard or living room to work on crawling, climbing, and balancing.
- Posture walks: Have them balance a book on their head while walking. It’s silly and effective.
- Bike rides: Great for posture and core — just remind them to keep their chest up and shoulders relaxed (not hunched like a gargoyle).
🎯 Printable: Summer Posture Challenge
Keep things engaging with a “Summer Posture Challenge”—a fun, printable checklist of daily and weekly posture-boosting tasks. See below for a printable version, but Think:
- ✅ Hold a plank for 20 seconds
- ✅ Catch yourself slouching and fix it
- ✅ Do 10 wall angels
- ✅ Play outside for 1 hour
- ✅ Sit tall at lunch like a royal
Want your copy? https://chatgpt.com/s/m_685742f629208191b9318dfb2959801d
🎉 Final Thoughts
Summer doesn’t have to mean slouch season. With just a little structure (and a lot of creativity), you can keep your kids active, aligned, and ache-free — without turning into the summer fun police.
Remember: strong posture = strong kids. So go ahead, have that beach day, binge-watch Bluey, and race through the sprinklers — just keep it posture-positive!
P.S. Need help checking your kid’s posture or addressing movement quirks? Reach out to us at Professor Posture — where we straighten things out for a living. 😉
