New ‘chairs’ help Carson students focus on work
October 27, 2009
By Christopher Huber
By Christopher Huber
Carson Elementary teacher Linda Hart’s classroom was silent as her first-graders focused on their writing assignment Oct. 21. Many wiggled on their seats as they held pencil to paper, but they seemed content at their desks for the task at hand.
Besides the extra sense of calm in the room, the only thing that seemed out of place was the lack of the standard-issue, four-legged plastic and metal chairs.
No shoes were clunking on chair legs, no thuds from the metal feet pounding the floor.
These students were sitting — or bouncing — on bright yellow exercise balls.
While they still have the option to use traditional desk chairs, most students in Hart’s and Jodie Brown’s classes have begun using the balls, also known as stability balls, for their every-day chairs.
“I like this because it’s like a soccer ball,” first-grader Wyatt Bickford said. “When she’s (Hart) not talking, we can bounce like this.”
Bickford pointed to his big yellow ball and lightly bounced up and down as he and classmates finished writing before lunch.
Brown introduced the balls as seats about seven years ago after she saw a story about it on television. She began with one, letting each student use it for half a day at a time. The next school year, she bought three more and her students gave her affirming feedback.
While, there wasn’t much formal research, she found the balls could help them pay attention in the classroom. First-graders need to fidget, and the balls give them an outlet for that. Additionally, constantly adjusting their center of gravity helps develop their core muscles.
“They’re able to focus for a longer period of time, as well,” Brown said.
For this school year, Brown sought out PTA funds to purchase a class set after attending a seminar on brain function. The presenter offered insights on children’s need for motion and activity when trying to focus, she said.
The idea stems in part from research conducted by John Kilbourne, a professor of movement sciences at Grand Valley State University, in Allendale, Mich.
He found his own students paid more attention and were more engaged in class discussions when using the stability balls.
“We did not evolve to sit at chairs all day at school. We’re movement beings. We need to move,” Kilbourne said. “I know a lot of elementary teachers who are incorporating them into their classrooms.”
There could be some discrepancies, since elementary schoolers’ bodies are different from college-age ones. Some exercise scientists warn there may be the potential to develop posture problems.
But, Sally Westcott McCoy, an associate professor of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Washington, said bad posture could come from numerous other habits outside of sitting on stability balls for long periods.
“It depends on the individual and the other things they do in their lives,” she said. “Staying in any position for a long period of time is probably not the best idea.”
The option to use the balls may help children avoid problems with bad posture, McCoy said.
In the end, McCoy said there needs to be more research on the budding national trend.
After the first few days in use at Carson, the plan seems to be working, according to teachers and administrators.
During a recent class, some children rolled in place as their hands and arms anchored them to the table. Some sat straight and upright as they pondered the next sentence.
“They’re bouncing, but they’re still focused on work,” said Mary Cronin, Carson’s principal.
During many activities, like reading, Brown and Hart give students the option to sit in the comfortable chairs in the corner or on the floor.
Since introducing these students to the stability balls Oct. 19, Brown said they seem to prefer staying at their desks.
It used to be a novelty to their students, but this year, the first-graders seem to treat the balls as their real chairs, the two teachers said.
“I like usually sitting on here,” first-grader Ben Wiljanen said, gesturing to the exercise ball. “Because I can’t bounce on the regular chairs.”
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.
Carson Elementary teacher Linda Hart’s classroom was silent as her first-graders focused on their writing assignment Oct. 21. Many wiggled on their seats as they held pencil to paper, but they seemed content at their desks for the task at hand.
Besides the extra sense of calm in the room, the only thing that seemed out of place was the lack of the standard-issue, four-legged plastic and metal chairs.
No shoes were clunking on chair legs, no thuds from the metal feet pounding the floor.
Isabella Oosterhof does her school work while sitting on the exercise ball. Photo by Christopher Huber
These students were sitting — or bouncing — on bright yellow exercise balls.
While they still have the option to use traditional desk chairs, most students in Hart’s and Jodie Brown’s classes have begun using the balls, also known as stability balls, for their every-day chairs.
“I like this because it’s like a soccer ball,” first-grader Wyatt Bickford said. “When she’s (Hart) not talking, we can bounce like this.”
Bickford pointed to his big yellow ball and lightly bounced up and down as he and classmates finished writing before lunch.
Brown introduced the balls as seats about seven years ago after she saw a story about it on television. She began with one, letting each student use it for half a day at a time. The next school year, she bought three more and her students gave her affirming feedback.
While, there wasn’t much formal research, she found the balls could help them pay attention in the classroom. First-graders need to fidget, and the balls give them an outlet for that. Additionally, constantly adjusting their center of gravity helps develop their core muscles.
“They’re able to focus for a longer period of time, as well,” Brown said.
For this school year, Brown sought out PTA funds to purchase a class set after attending a seminar on brain function. The presenter offered insights on children’s need for motion and activity when trying to focus, she said.
The idea stems in part from research conducted by John Kilbourne, a professor of movement sciences at Grand Valley State University, in Allendale, Mich.
He found his own students paid more attention and were more engaged in class discussions when using the stability balls.
“We did not evolve to sit at chairs all day at school. We’re movement beings. We need to move,” Kilbourne said. “I know a lot of elementary teachers who are incorporating them into their classrooms.”
There could be some discrepancies, since elementary schoolers’ bodies are different from college-age ones. Some exercise scientists warn there may be the potential to develop posture problems.
But, Sally Westcott McCoy, an associate professor of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Washington, said bad posture could come from numerous other habits outside of sitting on stability balls for long periods.
“It depends on the individual and the other things they do in their lives,” she said. “Staying in any position for a long period of time is probably not the best idea.”
The option to use the balls may help children avoid problems with bad posture, McCoy said.
In the end, McCoy said there needs to be more research on the budding national trend.
After the first few days in use at Carson, the plan seems to be working, according to teachers and administrators.
During a recent class, some children rolled in place as their hands and arms anchored them to the table. Some sat straight and upright as they pondered the next sentence.
“They’re bouncing, but they’re still focused on work,” said Mary Cronin, Carson’s principal.
During many activities, like reading, Brown and Hart give students the option to sit in the comfortable chairs in the corner or on the floor.
Since introducing these students to the stability balls Oct. 19, Brown said they seem to prefer staying at their desks.
It used to be a novelty to their students, but this year, the first-graders seem to treat the balls as their real chairs, the two teachers said.
“I like usually sitting on here,” first-grader Ben Wiljanen said, gesturing to the exercise ball. “Because I can’t bounce on the regular chairs.”
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com.
Other Stories of Interest: Rachel Carson Elementary School
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