The Three Keys of the Chair

Children discover the three keys to sitting well in a chair (feet on the floor, bottom all the way back, back against the backrest) and play at locking and unlocking them with seated movements. It works on chair posture and moving the trunk and legs without standing up.

How to play

1. Each in their own chair, the teacher shows the three keys with a key-turning gesture: the feet key (feet flat on the floor), the bottom key (all the way back) and the back key (against the backrest) (2 min).
2. Lock the keys one by one and check with your hands that your feet touch the floor and your back touches the backrest (1 min).
3. Unlock the keys: seated moves like pedaling in the air, twisting the trunk side to side and reaching to the ceiling (3 min).
4. Silly teacher game: the teacher sits badly (feet dangling, sideways, slumped) and the children say which key is unlocked (2 min).
5. Lock all three keys at once when the teacher says “click, click, click,” then stay sitting well while we count to ten (2 min).

Rules

• The chair stays still on the floor, no rocking.
• We move while sitting, no standing up.
• On “click, click, click,” we lock all three keys.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: in the child’s own wheelchair, find the supports it has (footrest, backrest) and adapt the moves to what the child can do.
• Autism: a card showing the three keys taped to the table.
• Shorter children: if their feet don’t reach the floor, put a box or thick book under them for the feet key.

Learning goals

• Learn how to sit well in a chair.
• Move the trunk and legs while seated.
• Spot postures that tire the back.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Chairs: 25

Teacher tip

Check first that the chairs fit the children; if their feet don’t reach the floor, the feet key is impossible. Later, during table work, just say “click” and they’ll sit back up.

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