9 Ergonomic Essentials for Your Kids’ Study Area

How do you set up the ultimate study area that will take into account your child’s physical health and comfort? We have some ideas.

Ergonomic Desk

The main thing that makes a desk ergonomic is if it’s the right height for the user. A user should be able to comfortably cross their legs, put their arms between 90 and 110 degrees, and put their upper arms in line with their torso. Of course, kids aren’t adult size, so their desk needs to be a bit different. The key feature that makes a desk ergonomic is its height, and many are adjustable. After all, those darn kids keep growing!

Ergonomic Chair

Obviously, chairs are the other part of the sitting equation. Everything that we’ve mentioned about ergonomic sitting in relation to desks can apply to chairs. With that said, chairs also ideally have adjustable armrests (you don’t want them too high), adjustable headrests (you don’t want them too low), and lumbar support (which your kid probably won’t care about).

Adjustable Monitor and/or Laptop Stand

Once your kid is sitting comfortably, they shouldn’t have to leave their comfortable position to see the screen. Ideally, use an adjustable screen or laptop stand to put the screen where your kid needs it. Remember, make your devices move for you (or, in this case, your kid)— don’t move to accommodate your devices.

Footrest and/or Booster Seat

Ideally, feet should be planted on the ground. But we don’t live in an ideal world. If your child needs to do their homework at the kitchen table because that’s just reality, don’t worry about not having an ergonomic desk or chair. You can help them out with a footrest and/or booster seat, depending on what the problem is.

Task Lighting

Sure, you don’t need a desk lamp to do math worksheets. And you don’t need a reading lamp by an armchair in order to read. But dedicated task lighting reduces eye strain, so why not? Also, while we have terribly fond memories of reading by flashlight in bed at night, you could get your kid an adjustable light that fits right above their headboard. Again, why not make it easy?

Document and/or Book Holder

If your kid (or teenager, or kid who is a university student and therefore not a kid but let’s face it, still your kid) needs to read or reference things while they’re studying or using the computer, a document or book holder is a real lifesaver. Best of all, they’re like fifteen bucks.

Wrist Support

If your child is finding they get a lot of wrist strain using the keyboard or mouse, a foam or jelly wrist rest might be just the thing.

Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Technically, these aren’t ergonomic—but a pair of noise-cancelling headphones can help improve focus during homework time, especially in a chaotic household, so we’re recommending them.

Break Reminder Apps

Also not an ergonomic thing, but it’s important to take a break from screens (or even no-screen homework). Why not take the opportunity to go for a walk or do something outside? After all, you probably need a break from your task too.