Workstation Ergonomics Guidelines for Computer Use by Children

Cornell University Ergonomics Web

Computer Use by Children: Workstation Images

The following images from the MSNBC Today Show (January 5th, 2000) should help you to see how a more neutral, more ergonomic posture for keyboard use can be achieved for children of different ages and with different kinds of furniture. For each of the images below note the following:

head and neck well balanced and computer monitor at a good height
upper and lower back well supported by the chair
shoulders and arms relaxed, elbows at an open angle
hands and wrists straight
knee angle open, feet resting on a foot rest

Observe how you child uses the computer and then adjust the workstation arrangement so that s/he is working in the most neutral posture that you can achieve. In all of the following images the workstation adjustments allow it to be used by both children and adults.

6 Years Old

A 6 years old boy is working at a refitted child's computer desk so that he is sitting in a neutral posture. In this case the desk was refitted with the following:

a child-size keyboard incorporating a trackball
a height adjustable tiltdown tray for the keyboard
a back cushion for the adult size chair
a height and angle adjustable footrest

6 years old boy

10 Years old

A 10 years old girl is working at a refitted child's computer table so that she is sitting in a neutral posture. In this case the table was refitted with the following:

an adult-size keyboard with a separate mouse
a height adjustable tiltdown tray for the keyboard
a mouse platform attached to the keyboard platform
a back cushion for the adult size chair
an angle adjustable document holder for papers and books
a monitor riser to raise the height of the screen

10 years old girl

12 Years old

A 12 years old girl is working at a refitted adult's writing desk so that s he is sitting in a neutral posture. In this case the desk was refitted with the following:

an adult-size keyboard with a separate mouse
a height adjustable tiltdown tray for the keyboard
a mouse platform attached to the keyboard platform

12 years old girl

For information on how the computer furniture shown above was modified using the following products contact the following manufacturers

keyboard tray, mouse platform, back cushion, chair, document holder, antiglare screen (Humanscale)
child's keyboard ("Little Fingers")
home computers (HP Pavilion)

For more information about neutral posture working CLICK HERE.

<Return to the child's computer workstation guidelines

Hit Counter visitors.