So curious about Junior Chairs? Here's a run down on the whats and whys about this furniture that is perhaps less well known compared to other items you can buy for a child.
They are for the in between stage when a child has outgrown the highchair but still too small to fit an full sized dining chair. They are useful from around the age of 3 up to around 8, depending on the size of the child.
By being at the correct height the chairs make mealtimes better for the child. It stops them having to sit on their knees or be propped up. A footrest is also key to support the child's joints at the correct angle, instead of their feet dangling.
Some parents don't think so and skip this stage. What's interesting, however, is that those that do get one seem to universally agree that junior chairs are a great idea.
I've seen comments like these online.
"Gimmick"
"Use a cushion"
These don't seem like very convincing arguments against. I think of it this way. Imagine going out to dinner at a restaurant and sitting at a chair that was completely the wrong size for you to sit comfortably and enjoy your meal. So you complain but the restaurant's response is to just offer you a cushion and say the chairs are made for bigger people. Most people would think that would be a little weird if not ridiculous. So why do the same in your own home, not just for one meal but years?
It seems hard to argue against the simple idea that after a high chair, a full sized dining chair isn't really the ideal option just yet for a child. So a more appropriate sized chair could help make mealtimes better for your little diners and bridge the gap until they are much bigger.
Parents that have actually tried a junior chair seem to be universally positive. These are just a few representative comments from independent reviews found online:
"It's made dining so much easier and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend."
"Really useful when learning to write."
"It makes sitting for mealtimes or doing crafts a lot better "
There's lots of similar comments online if you start searching around, regardless of who made it, so the benefits of a junior seem to be universally experienced and not specific to any brand.
"As a nanny I always recommend a junior chair because once they are out of a standard high chair, it is years before they are comfortable on an adult chair." - Larissa Hazell, founder of The Childcare Guide
Also consider how schools have smaller chairs and table that better fit children. There is, in fact, a whole British and EU standard around the correct heights for chairs and tables in schools - BS EN 1729. This demonstrates the importance of a correct position in in a school environment to help children focus on learning.
At home we want the whole family to sit at the dining table, not have our children eat their meals at a separate child sized table and chair, so it's a bit different to a classroom. So in the home scenario it makes sense to have a dining chair that raises the child that bit higher to better reach a standard dining table, rather than buy the low chairs found in schools. People do buy small chairs and tables for the home but they are typically used more for a playroom, great for crafting and activities if you have the space, but don't really help with mealtimes.
A footrest is key as it helps support a child in line with the 90-90-90 posture guidelines . This means that your child should have a 90 degree angle at their hips, knees and ankles. NHS Guidance
There isn't a lot on the market for this stage. Two big names dominate the space - Tripp Trapp and Ikea. In addition, I've launched my own alternative. We're not as well known as the big brands but do offer something a little different. Clearly I have some bias here but I will try to be as objective as possible. In summary I would say that:
So, which one is right for you depends on your priorities as they all offer something a little different.
If you want to see more of the Okehill option then follow the link below. I hope that is useful.
Jeremy - Okehill Founder