Ergonomics for Children

Racquel A. Cortez, MIT

Introduction
 Each child is unique, yet children also undergo universal
developmental stages that are affected by their life-
experiences and culture. 
 We can predict when, how and why children do the things
they do based on the cognitive, physical, social, emotional
and language dimensions of each developmental stage.
 Children are exposed to very different visual environments
than previous generations. Yet these technologies are
often used without regard for the corresponding
implications for children’s comfort, health and long-term
well-being.
Introduction

 Children’s visual environments may adversely affect their

postures and postural risk.
 Loud and distracting noise can damage our hearing,
potentially hindering our ability to learn and fully
experience our lives.
 A child’s "work" is to develop physically, emotionally,
socially and cognitively. Eliminating all risks would also
eliminate challenges essential to children’s growth and
development
3 Areas of Ergonomics

 Anthropometrics The study of human measurements

such as height, arm length, reach, etc.
 Physiology The study of bodily strength, fatigue,
reaction times etc.
 Psychology The study of behavior - especially the way
we react to heat, light, texture, color, noise, etc.
 Ergonomics help us evaluate the suitability
between children and the products they used
and the environments. An understanding of this
is critical to ensure that children can use (and
enjoy) products intended for them. At the same
time, it protects them from harm by ensuring
that hazards are properly guarded or placed
out of reach.
Child-friendly user interface in the digital world

 Children, like adults, need ergonomic "user friendly"

interfaces in the broad range of electronic media they use
on a regular basis. 
 Ergonomic design guidelines can set the stage for
children’s initial interactions with a product, enabling
them to use products intuitively and fluidly.
 The products should be easy to use and geared to their
particular developmental stages in hand-eye coordination
and cognitive skills. 
 Children also need media content that offers opportunities
for growth.
Child-friendly user interface in the digital world

 Ergonomic guidelines can stimulate and nurture

development by providing electronic media that enrich
children’s lives.
 It is important for child users to understand basic
principles of posture, body mechanics and the risks and
benefits associated with using computers and other
electronic devices. 
 Imparting an awareness of the importance of position,
posture and comfort to children at an early age can
establish habits that will empower them throughout their
lives. 
Children in vehicles
 Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death
and serious injuries in children at every age after their
first birthday.
 Children’s injuries are also more severe than those of
adults; their small size and developing bones and muscles
make them more susceptible to injury in car crashes if not
properly restrained.
 Many of these deaths could have been avoided, such as by
proper design and use of child restraints that are
appropriate for the child’s age, positioning in the vehicle
and many other factors.
Preschool and Daycare Design
 Physical preschool environments play a critical role on
children’s cognitive, social, physical and emotional
development. 
 Stimulating and well-organized childcare settings help
children develop their vocabularies, attention and
memory skills and social interactions with peers.
 The quality of learning environments can enhance learning
outcomes, as learners respond positively to stimulating
spaces.
Preschool and Daycare Design
 Poor school designs create barriers to learning by
physically isolating students from each other and
hindering the sense of belonging, ownership or
engagement with the space.
 Research indicates that many schoolchildren sit in
furniture that does not fit them properly.
 Schoolchildren who sit in awkward postures for long
durations can experience musculoskeletal symptom that
worsen with time.
 Common assumptions about what is ergonomically "proper"
for adults may not be appropriate for children.
Children and handwriting ergonomics
 Postural instability, paper and pencil positioning and
limited gripping ability are correlated with poor
handwriting performance.
 Creating effective child environments for writing requires
more than simply supplying a place for children to copy
letters.
 Effective learning environments must be directive,
supportive and intriguing for children as they develop this
new way to communicate.
 Children need appropriate writing tasks and tools and
must be developmentally ready to write.
Playground Safety and Ergonomics
 Playgrounds enable children to develop physical and social
skills in fun and stimulating environments.
 Playgrounds provide children with "work" activities that
help them develop skills such as eye-hand coordination
and balance.
 The fit between the child user and their environments is
critical in playgrounds. Children need challenge in safe
environments.
 Improper playground design or maintenance can
contribute to injuries.
Playground Safety and Ergonomics
 Climbing and descending stairs requires a combination of
strength, balance, timing and equilibrium.
 It takes coordinated effort to avoid missteps, falls and
injury. 
 We must study the design factors that contribute to ease-
of-use and safety for children on stairs.
 Important considerations include stairway visibility, step
dimensions and handholds.
Children’s Product Design
 There must be ergonomic considerations for designing
products for children to encourage their proper use,
safety and fun.
 Today, the focus on ergonomics in the design of children’s
materials has broadened beyond safety and comfort to
design these materials to fit the child user.
 Today’s consumers also expect products to be easy to use,
functional, and pleasurable and to contribute to growth
and development.
 This requires an understanding of children’s
developmental stages.
Swaddle
 Swaddling helps keep baby sleeping longer and more
peacefully.
 The ergobaby’s innovative design makes it easy to swaddle
correctly for a great fit every time.
 By two years of age, a child will have spent more time
asleep than awake.
 A healthy amount of sleep is essential for babies as it
directly impacts their mental and physical development,
as well as happiness.
 Proper sleep conditions will help your baby rest better,
longer, and safer...so you can sleep better too.
 Ergonomic Tips
 Place your baby on her back. Babies up to one year of age should
always be placed on their backs while sleeping.
 Make sure your baby sleeps on a firm surface. Cover a firm
mattress with a fitted sheet. Clear the area of pillows, blankets,
and stuffed toys.
 Swaddle your baby. A swaddler not only eliminates blankets and
loose fabric from the sleeping area, but also helps keep your baby
safely on his/her back. Stop swaddling once your baby can roll on
his/her side or stomach to prevent suffocation.
 Ensure your baby is at a comfortable temperature. Keep his/her
room slightly warmer during the day and cooler at night. Do not
overdress your baby.
 Ergonomic Tips
 Verify that your baby's crib complies with current safety
standards. Check to make sure your baby's crib isn't on the
recall list by the Consumer Product Safety Commission
(www.cpsc.gov). Do not use a crib that is older than 10 years.
Many older cribs may not meet current safety standards and
can have a variety of problems.
 Place crib in a safe spot. Distance cribs or playpens away
from windows, window covering cords, and baby monitor cords
to avoid strangulation hazards. The AAP recommends your
baby sleep in the same room, but not in the same bed.

- Sourced from the American Academy of Pediatrics

Swaddle Instruction
 Nursing Pillow
 The NEW Ergobaby Natural Curve Nursing pillow is made from
solid foam with a unique contour to help properly position
baby tummy-to-tummy at a good height that saves you from
slouching.
 Firm and ergonomically structured, it maintains its shape over
time for lasting support.
 It gives you the enduring support you need to relax, nurse
comfortably and bond with baby
 Nursing Pillow
 Addresses the main concerns of nursing mothers: Comfort,
Back Pain, and Arm Support
 Unique contour positions baby tummy-to-tummy for
comfortable breastfeeding support
 Supports baby’s head above tummy which may aid in digestion
 Places baby at a comfortable height and position to prevent
back pain from slouching
 Nursing Pillow
 Firm foam maintains shape for continued support
 Pillow wraps around waist to provide an armrest
 Developed with lactation experts and lots of nursing moms
 Interior lining offers extra protection against spills
 Plush pillow cover is comfortable for baby and is removable +
machine washable
 Includes one Brown cover
 Infant Insert
 Ultimate support and comfort for young babies, compatible
with any Ergobaby carrier.
 The safe, easy, and comfortable way to ensure new baby is
ergonomically positioned in a natural M-shaped seating position
from the start.
 Easy-to-use design makes loading your baby a cinch
 Infant Insert
1. Cushioned head & neck support. Adjust for a snug fit for
newborns
2. Ergonomic pillow. Supports baby’s back in C-curved spine
while giving her a boost so she’s close enough to kiss.
3. Cushioned thigh support. Ensures consistent healthy hip
positioning with knees above hips.
4. Streamlined, fan shaped back panel. Allow more airflow for
baby.
5. Securely attaches to carrier. Enables easier loading and
unloading of baby in the carrier.
 Baby Carrier
 The Four Position 360 Baby Carrier has been acknowledged as a
"hip healthy" product by the International Hip Dysplasia
Institute.
 Ergobaby carriers are comfortable, ergonomic, and safe for
baby's hips.
 It is made of 100% polyester and machine washable.
 Baby Carrier
1. Structured bucket seat. Keeps baby ergonomically seated in
all 4 positions, with knees even to or above hips, with baby's
spine in curved "C" position. Button adjustments let parents
adapt the seat width to the baby's size & position.
2. Extra wide waistband. Exceptionally comfortable waistband
can be worn high or low on the waist depending on preference
and provides extra support for the low back.
 Baby Carrier
3. Extendable back panel. Can be rolled down for
front-outward, or upwards for the inward facing
positions to provide extra head, neck and back
support for baby.
4. Padded shoulder straps. Helps evenly distribute
baby's weight in combination with the wide
waistband to maximize parent comfort.
5. Sleeping hood. Provides support for baby's head
while sleeping, protection from sun and added
privacy while nursing.
Proper Posture for Using Baby Carrier