What does "ergonomic" actually mean?
Ergonomic doesn't just mean comfortable. It means: A piece of furniture adapts to the needs of the body – not the other way around. For children, this primarily means: enabling movement instead of restricting it. Because rigid sitting contradicts the natural urge to move.
Why ergonomic sitting is so important for children
According to the Family Handbook of the State Institute for Early Childhood Education, long, immobile sitting is one of the main factors for posture damage and concentration problems in children. The AGR e.V. (Campaign for Healthy Backs) also recommends using movement-promoting furniture from preschool age to prevent back pain.
“Children don't need chairs that hold them in place – but seating that thinks, plays, and grows with them.”
What you should pay attention to when choosing
- Freedom of movement: Stools that allow rocking or turning promote micro-movements and strengthen muscles.
- Height adjustment: Ideally, seating that grows with the child – and can be adapted to different activities, e.g., by Stapelstein®.
- Material & Safety: Free from harmful substances, non-slip, lightweight – and stable enough to withstand any adventure.
- Multifunctionality: Seating that can also be used as a play object, balancing aid, or stool remains exciting for a long time.
Our recommendation: Moving variety
Whether a dynamic stool, growing children's chair, or stackable balance element – the important thing is that children are allowed to move with the furniture. Because the best thing for posture is not the one correct sitting position – but the change between many.
Discover moving seating solutions for children
Conclusion: Sitting can change
Ergonomic seating furniture for children are a contribution to more joy of movement, better posture, and long-term health. And the best part: They support what children naturally do – be curious, try things out, balance, grow.
Curious?
- Discover our ergonomic seating furniture
- What is dynamic sitting?
- Ergonomic seating furniture for children - what to consider?
- Back pain in children
Sources
- State Institute for Early Childhood Education (IFP): Promoting movement in childhood. familienhandbuch.de
- Campaign for Healthy Backs e.V. (AGR): Child-friendly seating furniture – Requirements for ergonomic learning. agr-ev.de
- WHO (2020): Guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Geneva: World Health Organization
- Karolinska Institutet (2022): Study on the effects of dynamic sitting on children
