If we are designing a space or furniture for children, than it is important to understand the dimensions of children and furniture too. If the dimension of chair and table they are using is not according to their anthropometrics than it will increase the ergonomics risk. Improper size of chair and desk will affect their back and shoulder. e.g. If the dimensions of study table is not according to their dimension than they will not like to use it for writing or reading. Likewise cupboard is not according to their height than they will have to call their mother for picking clothes from it.
Similarly for school, Blackboard height should be at their comfortable eye height while sitting in classroom, otherwise it will be not in their comfort zone and they will not able to concentrate while studying. After some years, physical growth may change as per gender. So, here we are providing separate dimensions for girls and boys.
These dimensions deal with the requirements of the furniture for children in the age group of 5 – 16 years for use in Indian homes. These sizes are related to age groups of children. This formulation is according to the following consideration.
- To define a required space under the table, it shall be kept for the knee space.
- To define required table length based on width between elbows of children when writing to ensure comfortable working space.
- To give a data on the reach and stretch of children arm to assist in the design of storage, working surface, etc.
There are some postures that are adopted by the children at home, To assess the fit of the children and their activities. Following requirements shall be fulfilled while designing table and chair.
- Clearance between back of legs and front edge of seat.
- No pressure at front of the seat between seating surface and thighs.
- Clearance between thigh and underside of table for freedom of movement.
- Elbows level with table top when upper arm vertical.
- Required clearance between backrest and seat to ensure free movement of buttocks.
Common Posture:
There are common postures, which can be kept in mind while designing any furniture, products or space. Those postures are:
01. Standing
02. Sitting
03. Reaching
04. Circulation and Eye level
01. Standing:
In this case, an appropriate dimension for the standing postures can be selected and design according to it. We can design a height of cupboard according to the average height of children, so they can easily access their cupboard
Body Measurement of Children up to 1 to 12 year – Standing Posture:
Body Measurement of Boy up to 13 to 16 year- Standing Posture:
Body Measurement of Girl up to 13 to 16 year- Standing Posture:
02. Sitting:
In house, children will use tables, chairs and beds as primary need. Height of the table should be so comfortable that child can easily write or read on it. Level of table should be according to the elbow height in sitting posture, and distance should be as per dimension between elbow and fingertip.
Following are some points which should be keep in mind while designing for the sitting postures:
LEGENDS:
A– Sitting height
B– Sitting eye height
C – Waist depth
D – Thigh clearance
E – Buttock to knee
F – Knee height
G – Seat length/ depth
H – Popliteal heightSeat:
- Weight of seat
- Effective depth of seat
- Minimum width of seat
- Radius of front of seat
- Maximum angle of seat
Backrest:
- Angle between seat and backrest
- Seat plane to bottom of backrest
- Seat plane to top of backrest
- Minimum width of backrest
Tables:
- Height of top
- Minimum depth of top
- Minimum length of top
Leg Clearance:
- Minimum depth of knee zone
- Minimum depth of tibia zone
- Minimum height of knee zone
- Minimum height of tibia zone
Body Measurement of Children up to 1 to 12 year – Sitting Posture:
Body Measurement of Boy up to 13 to 16 year- Sitting Posture:
Body Measurement of Girl up to 13 to 16 year- Sitting Posture:
03. Reaching:
While sitting or standing, children usually have to reach for something. e.g. To write on table or to hang their cloths, etc. This part of motions discusses the details of healthy and unhealthy reach zones. A healthy and unhealthy zone depends on the amount of stress which will hold on the body joints.
Above image shows the different reaching postures while sitting. The dimensions of this posture are very important while designing furniture for children. The dimensions of sitting height should be according to their dimension.
Body Measurement of Children up to 1 to 12 year – Sitting Reach Posture:
Body Measurement of Boy up to 13 to 16 year- Sitting Reach Posture:
Body Measurement of Girl up to 13 to 16 year- Sitting Reach Posture:
Images below show the different standing reach postures. And table with that image shows the dimensions for standing reach according to the different age group.
Body Measurement of Children up to 1 to 12 year – Standing Reach Posture:
Body Measurement of Boy up to 13 to 16 year- Standing Reach Posture:
Body Measurement of Girl up to 13 to 16 year- Standing Reach Posture:
04. Circulation and Eye Level:
Children will move around seating arrangement and around the building for different purposes. e.g. in school, for lunch break, lectures for extracurricular activities, etc.
Body Measurement of Children up to 1 to 12 year – Circulation:
Body Measurement of Boy up to 13 to 16 year – Circulation:
Body Measurement of Girl up to 13 to 16 year – Circulation:
Eye Level:
Eye level should be kept in mind in all the postures whether they are standing or sitting. e.g. T.V. height should be in such a manner that while child is watching it; an angle of his/her neck should be comfortable. So, they can enjoy it without any ergonomics risk.
Body Measurement of Children up to 1 to 12 year – Eye Level:
Body Measurement of Boy up to 13 to 16 year – Eye Level:
Body Measurement of Girl up to 13 to 16 year – Eye Level:
