Very early in my career, I had a sophomore who simply would not sit down. She did not wander, she was not disruptive, and she sat in the last seat in her row (back when I still had rows). I was still a fan of Harry Wong back then, and I was besides myself. Nothing was going to make that child plant her bottom on that chair.
My cooperating teacher asked me what was the harm? No one else minded, and even if you allowed all children to stand any time they wanted, few would choose to do so.
Wise woman.
 |
| 1940? classroom, via Shorpy |
Very, very unhealthy.
The more we sit, the earlier we die, independent of how active we might be while we're not sedentary.
We literally train our children to sit still in their seats. No other self-respecting mammal is going to do this--even sloths stay off their butts. (If my dog ever sat a minute he got a treat--he was a skinny dog.)
Humans are bouncy, foraging creatures. Corporate cubicle-life kills. We train our young for it anyway.
Why not let them smoke cigarettes and drink booze, too?