Most children at one stage or another sit in a W position. The W position is when a child sits on their bottom with their knees and feet positioned outside of their hips, making the shape of a W.
Most children move in and out of the W during the day. However, if a child sits in the W position for long durations of time, it can hinder your child's development. Sitting in the W position may give the child a feeling of stability, as they have a larger surface area and can manage their center of gravity better. In time it can begin to cause tight muscles in the hips and legs, as well as causing pain and discomfort of the spine. If the hip and leg muscles are tight, it may affect your child's ability to develop their coordination and balance.
There are several things you can do to help your child:
1) Verbal cues "Can you show me how you can sit nicely, with your legs in front of you"
2) Offer your child a pillow, chair or stool to sit on
3) Model behavior and show your child that there are other ways to sit, such as legs crossed, legs to the side, legs in front, kneeling, squatting etc..
4) Tickle the child's feet as a guide to help them to straighten their legs
If you begin to notice that your child favors this sitting position, encourage them to sit in other positions to help their development. If you have other concerns or notice additional symptoms along with W-sitting, it is always best to seek the advice of your child's pediatrician.
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