Posted on 7th Oct 2011 @ 2:32 PM

Everyone remembers the traditional school desk: a tiny chair with a weird, half-desk extension attached to an arm rest on the right side. It's safe to say that no one has fond memories of sitting in these rock-hard horrors. But are they actually bad for kids? Could we be doing them damage by having them sit in such an uncomfortable chair all day? Is the school desk, in fact, the least ergonomic chair of all time? The answers below!

Are school desks bad for kids?

In a word: probably. Ill-fitting desks can definitely cause joint pain, and since school desks aren't adjustable, there's no way to change the way the desk fits the student.

Are we damaging them by making them sit in such uncomfortable chairs? Should we even be worried about this problem in 7-year-olds?

It's easier to learn good habits than it is to break bad ones. Teaching kids proper posture and getting them used to sitting in a relatively healthy manner is important. The average 7-year-old probably isn't going to develop joint problems today. But he or she could easily learn bad habits that will lead to issues down the road.

What about kids that are left-handed?

Left-handed desks do exist. The question is whether your school will have enough of them, or the budget to provide new desks should the number of lefties in class exceed expectations.

Are school desks the worst ergonomic chairs of all time?

No, probably not. The least ergonomic chair of all time is probably the bean bag chair. It encourages everything that shouldn't be encouraged: slouching, rounded shoulders and neck, and typing and writing at a bad angle. But traditional desks aren't great, either: They're not adjustable, for one thing, which is the cornerstone of any ergonomic design.

Is there a better option?

Some folks have suggested replacing traditional school desks with standing desks or balance balls, to encourage kids to move around more and develop core strength. This might seem a bit extreme, but certainly, we should consider developing chairs that incorporate ergonomic recommendations. You're never too young to start taking care of your back and your wrists.