I recently read an article that talked about how education has significantly changed over the last 50+ years- from what's being taught, to when it's being taught, to how it is being instructed and applied...not to mention the emergence of technology and everything that entails. Interestingly, what hasn't changed much over time is the classroom environment, the design and arrangement. We still see kids sitting in desks in straight rows...expected to face forward, sit still, feet planted firmly on the floor, no talking, etc. But with the vast curriculum changes and advanced expectations of students, how is it that the classroom environment hasn't changed with the changing times and the increased needs of the students?
I have a lovely niece who is an awesome kindergarten teacher (hi Kara, love you!), and she has incorporated flexible seating into her classroom over the past few years. Not just for a
select few (like the kids who have attention issues or behavior concerns), but for EVERY kid in the classroom to
access. And it's so refreshing for me as an OT to see this implemented daily for ALL of her students, and to get to see the positive results for myself! Now, as an OT I know the benefits of movement and sensory input for learning, and have recommended flexible seating for students on my caseload on many occasions throughout the years. It is sometimes met with enthusiasm from the classroom teacher, but then sometimes it's met with a tepid response. You know..."It's okay for him/her, but not for ALL of the students." Granted, there are parameters provided by the teacher to the students for use of the flexible seating options, but kids seem to learn the "rules" quickly, and learn which options work best for themselves to stay alert and focused.
There is an award winning teacher in Fargo ND, Kayla Delzer, who has a fantastic website/blog- Top Dog Teaching, Inc. She has compiled a resource list of her flexible seating work here:
http://www.topdogteaching.com/p/doghouse-digs.html Check it out! And if you're a teacher, consider implementing flexible seating in your classroom!
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| Note that the kids do not have assigned desks or seating... |
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| Kindergartners working independently in their chosen seating arrangements. |
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Visual timer on the white board for structured time...mini tramp available for movement,
child seated in a scoop rocker on the carpet. |
**The above photos are all courtesy of Mrs. Keysor's kindergarten classroom in Kenmare, ND
