1. Set the Stage: Have the child sit at their usual writing space. Observe their natural posture before any adjustments.  Take a photo of their posture and pencil grasp.
2. Introduce the Checklist: Give the child their own Posture Checklist and explain that each box is something their body needs to feel steady and strong for writing.
3. Check: Go through the checklist together. For each item, talk about why it helps:
   • A lower writing surface helps your arms rest without reaching or scrunching and helps you focus and write for longer periods of time.
   • Feet on the floor helps your body feel grounded. Dangly feet make it harder to sit still and you will get tired faster.
   • Hips and Knees help your back stay straight and your body feel balanced.  Not too floppy and not too tight.
   • A special seat like a wiggle cushion, a wedge or a pillow allow you to wiggle and concentrate and also can boost your body to a better height if your table cannot be lowered.
   • Paper tilting helps your writing hand glide across the page, and your helper hand keeps it from moving.
   • A pencil grip can help you hold the pencil in the ‘just-right’ way, and a slant board helps your eyes and hands team up for good posture.  It reduces glare on the paper and helps your wrist be in a good position for writing.
4. Adjust: Make simple adjustments as needed (e.g., add a footrest or pillow).
   • Let the child check off the box once it’s set up correctly.
5. Practice Writing in “Posture Power Mode”: Once all boxes are checked, have the child do a short writing, coloring or drawing activity. Keep it light—something fun like drawing their favorite animal or writing their name 3 ways.

Take a photo and compare it to the first photo.

1. Reflect Together:
   • Ask “How did that feel different?”
   • Share the before and after photos
   • Ask “What part of this setup helped you the most?”

  Adapt for different needs: Let younger children use stickers or color in the checklist, offer movement breaks before or after for sensory-seeking kids, and encourage older children to self-check using a mirror or photo to build independence and body awareness. Helping kids become aware of how their body supports their writing builds confidence and independence. This simple posture check-in can become a daily habit that sets the tone for focused, frustration-free writing time. The more we invite children to notice what their body needs—and explain the “why” behind each step—the more empowered they’ll feel every time they sit down to write.