But will they really grow out of it? Part 1: W-sitting
Sometimes parents/caregivers are told by doctors or, anecdotally, by family or friends that their children will grow out of toe walking, flat feet, or w-sitting. When should parents/caregivers be concerned or intercede? The truth is some kids do outgrow any or all those things on their own, but some do need intervention.
W-sitting a position similar to kneeling but with the feet behind and on either side of the hips with the bottom touching the ground. This position creates a “w” shape out of the legs. Children frequent sit in this position because they typically have greater flexibility and decreased relative strength. W-sitting is a position that allows the feet to press into the ground to assist in staying up-right while sitting on the ground which allows the legs to assist in maintaining balance and decreases the need for core activation for postural stability.
But is w-sitting something children will just grow out of?
If a child sits in a variety of sitting postures while on the floor and is easily able to transition into different positions when environments/circumstances change, they are likely the type of child who WILL grow out of W-sitting. However, children that sit in a w-sit pattern more than 50% of the time, walk or stand internally rotated (pigeon-toed/in-toeing/femoral anteversion), have pain in their back, knees, or hips, or are developing anatomical alignment issues such as genu valgum (knock-knees) are child who need intervention.
Persistent w-sitting can be a sign of core weakness or hip tightness. A caregiver’s first and main step to correcting w-sitting is to use a consistent phrase or word cue while physically assisting their child to re-position their feet. If a child has been favoring w-sitting for a while change may take a longer. Much like any other bad habit, it can be harder to break the habit if the adults in your child’s life are not consistent with setting the expectation. How can anyone be expected to break a habit if they only try to stop the habit part of the time? If your child continues to w-sit after you have been providing cuing or you are concerned by their posture, walking pattern, reports of pain, your child may benefit from physical therapy to assess their core, hip, and knees.
