W-Sitting: Alternative Positions

Does your child prefer to W-sit? W-sitting is common in children who have decreased core strength as they seek this position to increase stability. W-sitting is not always a problem as long as children are not staying in this position for long periods of time and regularly use other sitting positions. Frequent W-sitting can lead to tightened hip musculature, decreased trunk rotation, decreased core muscle use, and decreases children’s ability to transition out of sitting and explore their environments potentially causing delayed gross motor milestones.

Here are 5 different positions that you can encourage instead of W-sitting when sitting on the floor.

• Ring Sit: Sitting on bottom with legs in the shape of a circle with feet touching

• Long Sit: Sitting on bottom with legs straight out in front

• Side Sit: Sitting on bottom with knees bent and both feet pointing to one side

• Cross-legged Sit: Siting on bottom with knees bent and ankles crossed

• Low Kneeling: Kneeling and sitting on feet

These sitting positions are varied and help children to increase their ability to weight shift while reaching, increase trunk rotation and reaching across their bodies, and require them to engage their core muscles. They also allow children to transition out of sitting much easier than the W-sitting position which makes it easier for them to move around and explore their environment.

Stay tuned for ideas on how to discourage w-sitting!