To have good posture for piano lessons, a student needs to have an understanding of what good posture is and be able to maintain it in other settings as well. In order to do so, one must have the muscles required to maintain balance. These muscles can become strong through movement.

If a student has poor posture at the piano because they have weak core muscles, simply telling them to “sit up straight” won’t help. They need to strengthen those muscles first through repetitive movements, and then practice calling on those muscles to maintain balance for good posture.

Good Posture Starts with Balance

Static balance- Simply put, static balance is when you hold your body stationary in a position or posture.

Building static balance first is where to begin, as this is what provides a good foundation of balancing skills before moving on to more complex balancing with movement.

https://www.theottoolbox.com/balance-activities-for-kids/

Balance and strong posture is not just helpful for playing piano, but LIFE.

Reduced strain on muscles and joints: Poor posture puts unnecessary strain on the muscles and joints, leading to discomfort and even injury over time. By developing good posture habits, children can reduce their risk of these issues in the present and future. 

https://www.theottoolbox.com/posture-exercises-for-kids 

Static Balance Helps Students Cognitively Too!

Research suggests that when balance is improved, so are attention and learning skills. Good balance helps children develop better reading, writing, and language skills, as well as improved concentration. 

https://www.theottoolbox.com/the-development-of-balance

How can we develop these crucial skills in a fun and engaging way?

Exercises I’ve Used and Loved:

• Crab Walks
• Bear Crawls
• Yoga poses
• Wall push ups

Exercises I have not used yet (but they sound fun)

Here are some ideas to consider, inspired by the amazing resources at The OT Toolbox

Wall Angel: This posture exercise for kids can be done as part of a therapy regimen, or added to a daily routine. Stand with your back against a wall, then raise and lower your arms, keeping them in line with your shoulders.

Butterfly Wings: Stand or sit tall, then squeeze your shoulder blades together by moving your arms towards your back, then towards your front, like a butterfly flaps it’s wings. Sit still or fly around! 

Flamingo pose: Stand on one leg. Bend the other leg to touch the foot to the inside of the knee. Stand tall and maintain balance

https://www.theottoolbox.com/posture-exercises-for-kids

Balance Challenges: Use a therapy ball as alternative seating for short periods.

Mirror: Place a mirror beside the piano so students can see their posture while they play.

Remember:

The goal is to create positive associations with good posture and balance, making them a natural part of their piano practice.