- 1). Take your child to a doctor or chiropractor to check for scoliosis. Sometimes kids slouch because of a poorly aligned spine or spinal condition. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine that occurs most often during a growth spurt just before puberty. A child suffering from muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy may develop scoliosis, but many kids without medical conditions develop the spinal condition also.
- 2). Seek treatment with your child's doctor or chiropractor if he has scoliosis. Several methods of treatment can help your child improve his posture. Some doctors recommend that kids wear a back brace or get continual chiropractic adjustments to align the spine.
- 3). Check your child's backpack to make sure it doesn't hang more than 4 inches below her waistline. The National University of Health Sciences says backpacks that hang too low increases the weight on your child's shoulders and can cause her to slouch as she walks forward. Adjust the straps while your child is wearing the pack to make sure it fits properly.
- 4). Check the backpack to ensure that it's not too heavy for your child. The University also says that a backpack should not weigh more than 10 percent of your child's body weight. Get rid of excess weight by storing heavy books in lockers or in your child's desk at school.
- 5). Visit your child's school and look at his desk and computer work station to ensure that it's ergonomically correct. The National University of Health Sciences says a child's work station chair should have arm supports and fit him correctly. Make sure the chair is 2 inches between the front edge of the seat and his knees. Your child's feet should plant firmly on the floor without dangling. Invest in a foot rest or stool if your child needs more support. His computer should sit at eye level and he should feel comfortable and not strained in the chair. Make adjustments if your child has a desk at home and work with his teacher to ensure that his work station fits him.
- 6). Sign your daughter up for ballet lessons and continually do this as she grows older. Ballet teachers show young girls how to stand properly because the moves don't look right without good posture.
- 7). Practice good posture yourself. Children model behavior from their parents, so show a good example and maintain good posture while sitting and standing. Set your desk station correctly so you don't slouch at your computer either.
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