How to Measure a Preschool Chair for a Toddler

As a toddler grows, he not only will outgrow many of his old clothes and toys, but chairs as well. As he ventures into school for perhaps the first time, take into consideration the proper size and height of his chair. If a chair is too high, the child may have difficulty getting on and off it, and if the chair is too low, he may be left with his knees hitting the top of the table. There are a few key measurements to help determine the perfect height of a chair for a toddler.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Toddler
• Measuring tape
• Chair

Getting Started

1. Measure the toddler's lower leg. Using a measuring tape, find the distance between the toddler's lower kneecap and the floor. Record that distance. Your child should have her knee bent at roughly a 90-degree angle when sitting, so aim to have a chair that will allow her feet to just touch the floor.

2. Consult a chart. According to furniture supplier Worthington Direct, there are general guidelines as to chair heights. For preschoolers and kindergarteners, generally 3 to 6 years old, the average chair height is 12 inches. Children in grades one and two will most likely do well with a chair that is 14 inches high, and children in grades three to four will move up to a chair that is 16 inches high.

3. Measure the height of the chair. After picking a chair using a chart as a reference, take a similar measurement of the chair you have selected. You will find the distance from the highest part of the seat of the chair and then to the floor. You want to aim to keep this distance as close to the length you found of your child's lower leg.

4. Test the chair with your specific child in mind, because children grow at varying rates. Have him sit in the chair, with his back to the behind frame, making sure his legs can comfortably bend at 90 degrees. Have his feet touch the ground and make sure he can easily sit behind a desk or table.

Tips & Warnings

• If a chair is not the correct height, children tend to fidget and are more likely not to sit still or listen correctly. That is why it is always best to have a chair that is properly fit.
• As your child grows, so too should the tables they sit behind. Having a table that is too short or small may make it uncomfortable for her to correctly fit her legs under the bottom of the table or workspace.

References

• Toddler Chairs
• Preschool Chairs