The preferred place to play is the floor, as this is where children feel most comfortable, but for certain activities they will prefer to use furniture that is indispensable for drawing, dining, doing homework. Thus, a table and a chair are indispensable items in a child’s environment from one year to graduation from high school.
Table height by age categories
The world of children is primarily created for adults, so setting up a standard table can lead to injury. If you choose the right size, the child’s feet will touch the ground, which will greatly facilitate the control of balance. Children under 10 years of age are advised to lay an additional rug on which the furniture will stand to reduce the risk of slipping.
The existing standards for the size of children’s tables are ideally adapted to age, but choosing furniture without a child would be a wrong decision. Below is an example of a standard.
- From 2 to 4 years: table height 46 cm, chair height 26 cm.
- 5-6 years old: table height 54 cm, chair height 32 cm.
- 7-8 years old: height 60cm and chair height 36cm.
- 9-11 years: 65 cm, chair 39 cm.
- 12-14 years: 70 cm, chair 43 cm.
- Over 14 years old: table should be 75 cm high, chair – 46 cm.
We see that approximately every 2-3 years the dimensions increase from 5 to 8 cm, for this reason parents tend to buy furniture a little more than the height of the child. In some cases, such a choice seems to be the right one, especially for babies who are not too interested in a new subject during the first months. The baby can ignore the presence of the table and get used to it for a long time.
On the other hand, with active use, such furniture, as mentioned above, is not safe. What to do? Pay attention to the growing desk, usually it is enough for the entire period of growing up – from 6 to 14 years inclusive.
Countertop: what to look for
If a table is chosen, the student should think for what specific purpose it will be used – is it just a desk or is it necessary to install a computer? In general, there are now enough models with a table top width of 60-75 cm and space-saving design solutions, such as a built-in keyboard shelf hidden under the table top.
It is also better to think over the lighting of the workplace in advance. When choosing a classic table lamp, we must make sure that there is enough space left for it. However, if the installation of a wide table is not possible due to the small size of the room, wall lights will be the best choice.
In addition to the width, you should familiarize yourself with the possibility of adjusting the angle of inclination. The horizontal position allows you to perform actions while sitting at the table, the 45-degree tilt of the tabletop is convenient for drawing while standing. This adjustment helps to reduce the load on the spine, preventing the development of scoliosis.
Student desk: storage space
Storage is another issue that must be taken into account in the case of a desk for a school-age child. Manufacturers provide us with many options. Children’s tables with drawers, side cabinet, shelves – which one to choose? Here you have to make your own decision.
From our side, a little advice – children rarely belong to the group of pedants, so it is better to choose tables where books and other things are stored behind closed doors or in deep drawers.
But what if there is no storage space in the desk model we have chosen? Help out practical containers under the table. Don’t forget hanging shelves and wall organizers as well – it’s a proven way to make the walls functional in any room.
Table material for a child
Popular manufacturers do not neglect the quality in this criterion, the materials used must strictly comply with international E1 level standards, the surface is scratch and dirt resistant, wear-resistant, the table edges are rounded.
Smooth surfaces are preferred to prevent rapid contamination. The white color of the countertop will help to focus on while doing school assignments; from bright, saturated colors, fatigue can accumulate in a short time.
The choice of material is sometimes the subject of greatest concern for parents. Poor quality, contain formaldehyde and other harmful substances, good children’s tables are generally made of environmentally friendly solid wood materials, strictly comply with international standards of E1 level and above, the surface is scratch and dirt resistant, and the table edges are rounded.
There are three main materials on the market: plastic, chipboard and solid wood. Plastic is cheaper, but prone to rapid aging. Chipboard is glued from various materials with high hardness and good wear resistance, however, the adhesive contains harmful chemical components that can harm the health of the child.
The best of the three materials is solid wood, it is more beautiful, more durable, but more expensive. Pine is more environmentally friendly, but its softness is often a disadvantage in the case of any furniture, beech is considered the most durable.
A children’s work table is a piece of furniture selected according to the needs and economic conditions. It is recommended to choose a large brand, both in terms of quality and safety, purchasing from small workshops may not be profitable if low quality materials were used.