Abstract: Studies indicate that musculoskeletal discomfort and back pain
problems are evident not only in adults, but also in children [11,13]. We
believe that educating towards a balanced-posture, body-function and movement
patterns, as well as their ergonomic implications, can minimize and even
prevent these problems. Such an ergonomics awareness educational program has to
start at childhood and should be an integral part of the curriculum in the
schools. This article presents the educational program "Ergonomics, Movement
and Posture" (EMP), which is taught in elementary schools by Physical
Education (PE) students of the Kibbutzim College of Education in Israel, as
part of their practicum. Although there has been no formal evaluation of the
effectiveness of the program, so far, participating children, their parents,
the teachers and the principles have offered positive feedback.
Keywords: Children, curriculum, ergonomics and physical education, posture
