Believe it or not, sitting straight may help your child score better grades.

That's because good posture helps with concentration.

Bad posture, on the other hand, may give him strained muscles and inflamed tendons, which could lead to headaches and other aches. Dr Nelson Lim, chiropractic physician at Discover Chiropractic Clinic tells Young Parents more.

Feet should always be flat on the ground when sitting in a chair. This ensures even pressure on knees and the buttocks, and less pressure on the tailbone and spine, says Dr Lim.

Rest the lower back on the backrest of the chair.

The backrest should be three quarters the height of your back to provide complete support.

Dr Lim cautions that one should not lean forward towards the table and support your body with your elbows – this will result in aching neck and shoulders.

Besides, your fingers may also go numb, as the edge of the table cuts off blood circulation at the elbows.

Look up Don't lower your head to read. Instead, look straight, tilt your chin downwards a little and look down. This prevents neck aches. Prop your book up at 45 degrees for a more comfortable view.

When choosing furniture, make sure that the knees and elbows (when rested on the table) are bent at 90 degrees when your child is seated.

Conventional tables are usually not adjustable, but you can achieve the right height by adapting an adjustable chair to suit the table.

For a more ideal study environment, try ergonomic furniture. They allow for fine-tuning and come in different sizes to suit your child's smaller build. Impact Lifestyle has a good range of Ergoworks products at #03-36 Centrepoint (tel: 6837-3370).

1. Get a copy of the March 2010 issue of Young Parents for expert advice and local tips to make you a better mum or dad. Young Parents, published by SPH Magazines, is available at all newsstands now. 2. Check out more stories at Young Parents online, www.youngparents.com.sg