I don't really see a difference in butt level personally.

No, if you kneel, you're up too high. If your butt is actually on the ground, your legs out of the way, and you lean forward you can get at the dollhouse, puzzle, xylophone, whatever easier, no?

Anonymous wrote:But, wait, listen, if you're playing on the floor, with the "stuff" you're playing with is on the floor, too. this really is the most obvious way to sit.

If the stuff is on a play-table or something, the kids'll kneel or stand, instead.

So wouldn't it make sense to W-sit if the stuff you're playing with is on the floor? If you don't want him to do this, lift the toy up off the floor, no?

No, it is not obvious to sit with your crotch and butt lower than your knees any more than it is obvious to stand with your knees locked behind you. Kneeling is still what most kids would do.

But, wait, listen, if you're playing on the floor, with the "stuff" you're playing with is on the floor, too. this really is the most obvious way to sit.

If the stuff is on a play-table or something, the kids'll kneel or stand, instead.

So wouldn't it make sense to W-sit if the stuff you're playing with is on the floor? If you don't want him to do this, lift the toy up off the floor, no?

My kids did this, no low tone, no special needs. just the way they liked to sit. little kids are very flexible by nature - they can chew on their toe nails!

Anonymous wrote:What is W sitting?

Why don't you do what I did and put it in Google. Hit images and you'll see photo examples.

My 4 YO DD does this, but much less so than before we started correcting her-- "criss cross applesauce." She doesn't have any developmental delays, ADHD, etc. In fact, she tends to be ahead of her class in learning. Although she hasn't been diagnosed as "low tone," her doctor noted that she is on the "lower end of a normal range." She's very tall and built like her father's side of the family-- all of which refer to W sitting as their TV watching pose from when they were kids. At first when we tried to get her to sit cross-legged, she was uncomfortable, but as her muscles adapted, she grew more comfortable.

My mildly low-tone son used to W-sit all the time. We gently reminded him not to, largely as a way of building strength in core muscles. He also was totally unable to do sit criss-cross applesauce until recently (he's 4) so we just encouraged him to sit with his legs out in front of him, which is a little unstable, so he'd often go back to the W after a little while. His occupational therapist thought the challenge with sitting cross-legged was more of a motor planning issue, but I found--as you say--that it was awkward to even put him in that position. Anyway, he seems to be getting better at it now.

Anonymous wrote:ran funny (my feet kicked out to the side, and I was and still am a slow runner)

OP here. This is me too. My feet are off-center on my legs, pointed outwards and I know that I sat that way. We constantly correct her, and daycare does too. I know from experience that it can be comfy, it's just that lately I've noticed she can't sit criss-cross applesauce even if we help move her legs into that position. It's one thing if she doesn't want to, but it's another if her legs and hips seem too tight to get into that position.

I appreciate all the input. Sounds like we don't need to freak out, but definitely need to mention it the next time we are at the pediatrician's.

This is actually the first time I've heard of this being an issue, but my 2 year old does, and I used to. My mom took me to the doctor when I was about 5 because I had horrible growing pains in my legs, and ran funny (my feet kicked out to the side, and I was and still am a slow runner), and the pediatrician told her to stop me from sitting that way. I'm going to start discouraging my daughter from sitting that way, just in case.

Agree it's a sign of low-tone, which is probably insignificant absent other issues.

Our 5 year old does this. She's been diagnosed with low tone, and W-sitting is one way that she compensates for that. We're supposed to remind her to sit "criss-cross applauce," but often forget. We did a year of OT, and it diminished the amount she does this, but she still does occasionally, especially when she's tired.

My 44 yr old brother still prefers to sit this way. He is a MD who does triathlons.

It's the best way to play with cars, trucks and trains!!! Seriously. Both of my boys did this at that age. It was easier to roll the toys around that way and "pop" off the floor. Try doing that cross-cross applesauce-doesn't work! I had never frickin' heard of "w" sitting with my first and I read everything! 2nd born went to a different preschool and they noted it at 2.5- but I shrugged it off as did the teacher. Now at 3.5 he no longer does it.

No issues--speech, ADHD, etc. They are both very good athletes and extremely coordinated (throwing catching hitting balls,etc) very early.

My low toned/torticollis kid W-sits sometimes. I just remind her to sit on her legs rather than "under" them. Kids that age are so flexible that many will W-sit and it's not a big deal, but with low toners and kids with other documented developmental issues, it's worth keeping watch over.