In schools, it is important for young students to be focused and stay alert in the classroom so they can learn better. However, the traditional seated desk is not always the best way for each student, and can often be uncomfortable.
James Fithian Tatem Elementary School third-grade teacher Rebecca Kotlyar has found a way to address the needs of her students and implemented flexible seating in her classroom, providing a variety of workspaces to meet the needs of different learners. Students took a survey to identify how they work best and are now making use of the different seating options to increase focus, comfort and productivity.
“I’m always trying to find the best things for my kids. I know I have certain kids with needs I wanted to address, and every third grader can benefit from (flexible seating). I wanted to see if it would make a difference in their learning, and I definitely think that it has,” Kotlyar said.
“Rebecca Kotlyar researched this idea and then put it into practice with a limited budget. I am so proud of this teacher for thinking outside the box,” Principal Karen Schultz said.
One of Kotlyar’s main goals is to teach kids how what is happening in the classroom relates to real-world applications. As she knows that many companies are now providing different work areas for their employees, and after researching the benefits of flexible seating, Kotlyar thought it would be something she would like to apply in her classroom.
“I was really excited (when I first heard we were doing this), I never heard of it before,” Sophia Atkins, 9, said.
With the approval of Schultz, as well as some help from the Parent Teacher Association and occupational therapist Karen Amariti, Kotlyar was able to provide a variety of seating. There are standing desks, lifted with bed risers; yoga balls in laundry baskets, used as alert seats; typical school desks; short desks; a bench; a soft round chair; yoga mats; and carpet.
“I think (yoga balls) are one of the best ways with kids that are more sensory to have balance and alertness. It really works well with that. I also like the idea of standing desks. I know I’ve had students who said, ‘my legs are starting to hurt from sitting,’ and, for those students, the standing desks are very helpful,” Kotlyar said.
Kotlyar has found the flexible seating has provided all benefits, and really no drawbacks. The alertness and focus of students have really increased with the new seating. She said the students are also learning to become more independent in decision making, are more self aware with what seating works for them with what subject, and are more comfortable with the space the new arrangement has provided.
“I think that the students have been able to make decisions more independently, and I’ve seen a lot more of an alert class. They know what subject where they are better off sitting, and they know if they are getting tired of sitting they can go stand at a desk. I’ve really seen their participation, independence and alert behavior grow,” Kotlyar said.
“I like the variety of seats. Like I sit down when I read, but I stand up when I do art, and that is what helps me. When we had our old seating, it was kind of hard for me, so now that we have this variety, I can pick between subjects; it helps,” Ian Mazzei, 9, said.
An unexpected outcome of the flexible seating has been students learning social cues and etiquette. According to Kotlyar, the students have learned not to run to an area they want to sit at, to talk with their fellow classmates if they’d like to use a seat and to ask if someone will be returning if someone is leaving a seat.
The third graders all felt the new seating arrangement provided more space, allowed for better learning and alertness, and was overall a positive experience.
“I feel like we learn better. Sometimes in those chairs you need to stretch your feet and need some space. And with flexible seating, we can get space and we don’t have to be cramped,” Mac Clancey, 9, said.
“With our old seating, you felt cramped and limited to one space. And I didn’t really work well with that,” Julian Shumaker, 9, said.
“I like that we’re able to choose where we sit and focus more,” Ava Fasolo, 9 said.
Kotlyar definitely wants to continue to use flexible seating in her classrooms. She feels the alertness and focus gained from the different seating, as well as helping students become more comfortable and mature with decision-making and social cues, are all amazing benefits she’d like to continue to provide to her students.
