My students are influenced by their environment, and they want to control it as much as they can. Having items such as hokki stools (a seat that spins, and lets students keep moving, while sitting still), exercise balls, and pillows to sit upon the floor, allows students to control their learning by picking a seating option that fits their needs best. When it comes to a special education classroom, I am molding my teaching and instruction to fit each individual student's needs--and it is important to teach my students that they are able to fit their individual needs as well. With alternative seating, this is a possibility for them.
I believe that kids, especially the restless, should not have to spend their days constantly sitting tucked in at a desk; alternative seating helps kids be more productive.
A study published in 2009 in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology demonstrated that children, especially those with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), tend to move around more when they are using working memory to solve problems. This means, that although "fidgety" behavior in children may look like a distraction, it is actually helping their learning process by helping them maintain focus. Seating such as hokki stools will keep students at a table doing their work and seated, although they are able to move and wiggle simultaneously. Studies have also shown that students who use alternative seating burn 17% more calories than a student sitting in an average chair.
My students learn differently than the traditional student. My classroom would fail if I used one-size-fits-all instruction, so why should I use one-size-fits-all seating? I dream of my classroom to be a place where sensory needs are normal choices for everyone. These items will help make my classroom a flexible seating paradise.
About my class
My students are influenced by their environment, and they want to control it as much as they can. Having items such as hokki stools (a seat that spins, and lets students keep moving, while sitting still), exercise balls, and pillows to sit upon the floor, allows students to control their learning by picking a seating option that fits their needs best. When it comes to a special education classroom, I am molding my teaching and instruction to fit each individual student's needs--and it is important to teach my students that they are able to fit their individual needs as well. With alternative seating, this is a possibility for them.
I believe that kids, especially the restless, should not have to spend their days constantly sitting tucked in at a desk; alternative seating helps kids be more productive.
A study published in 2009 in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology demonstrated that children, especially those with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), tend to move around more when they are using working memory to solve problems. This means, that although "fidgety" behavior in children may look like a distraction, it is actually helping their learning process by helping them maintain focus. Seating such as hokki stools will keep students at a table doing their work and seated, although they are able to move and wiggle simultaneously. Studies have also shown that students who use alternative seating burn 17% more calories than a student sitting in an average chair.
My students learn differently than the traditional student. My classroom would fail if I used one-size-fits-all instruction, so why should I use one-size-fits-all seating? I dream of my classroom to be a place where sensory needs are normal choices for everyone. These items will help make my classroom a flexible seating paradise.
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