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Dudi
Stark
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The physical act of being a
child has changed drastically in recent years. Not too long
ago, much of a child's physical activity during the day involved
moving the legs as he ran or rode a bike and the arms as she
threw a ball or climbed a tree. Of course children still do
this -- but not nearly as much as they used to, especially
if they live in cities.
Now, many children spend much
more time moving their right index finger up and down in micro-movements
as they click on a mouse or their middle finger as they press
the arrows on the keyboard to shoot off a missile to knock
that enemy space ship out of cyber-space.
Take time to observe your children
at the computer. Are they sitting up straight? Or are they
slumped over and tense with excitement in anticipation of
that next round of fire or that next turn at pinball?
Those of us who are not physical
or occupational therapists may not realize the tremendous
importance these movements, actions and postures have and
will have for our children. Most of us only began using computers
as adults. And how many of us now suffer from some kind of
computer-related syndrome such as carpal tunnel or CTD, cumulative
trauma disorder?
Our children are beginning their
time at the computer at younger and younger ages. Will we
see an epidemic of computer-related physical ailments when
this generation reaches their 20's and 30's?
RULES
FOR HEALTHY COMPUTER USE
In order to prevent pressure
of various kinds on young, growing bodies, take this advice
from Ruthie Poremba, OTR, MA, an occupational therapist who
trained at McGill University.
- The computer screen needs
to be directly in front of the child's eyes -- not off to
the side -- in order to minimize neck strain.
- Shoulders should be relaxed
and elbows should be at the sides of the body. To keep kids
from raising and tensing their shoulders, make sure that
the mouse and keyboard are at the appropriate height (e.g.
at elbow level with arms parallel to floor) for their use.
Children shouldn't have to reach forward to use the mouse.
- In most cases, the child
is sitting on a chair that is too big for him. Make sure
that his legs have support. You can use a footstool under
the desk or even an old telephone directory. It's also important
that his back is supported. Try putting a small pillow between
the child's lower back and the back of the chair.
- It's very important to make
sure that your child takes frequent breaks, stretches his
body, changes positions and does relaxation exercises. (This
can be as simple as closing the eyes and taking three deep,
slow breaths.) At least make sure they go to the kitchen
for a drink or to the bathroom every half hour or so.
- To prevent eyestrain, and
to prevent your child from having to get closer to the screen
in order to see well, make sure you have good lighting in
the computer area.
LIMIT
COMPUTER TIME
This may not be a popular thing
to say, but the best way to ensure that your child's health
is not affected by time at the computer is to limit that time.
Very young children should not be sitting at the computer
at all. It's hard to take away something that is so intriguing,
and that keeps kids so entertained and out of our hair. But
just as conscientious parents limit television watching, we
must do the same for computers.
If your children watch television
and play at the computer, they are doubling the time they
are sitting still every day instead of moving and exercising
their growing bodies. All the more reason to give some serious
thought to time limits.
Poremba recommends limiting children
to not more than two one-hour periods a day at the computer.
To download a free screen-saver with
tips on appropriate computer use, go to the consumer section of
http://www.aota.org,
the web site of the American Occupational Therapy Association.
© Ruth Mason, 2000 |
