Wiggles and Giggles in a Kindergarten Classroom

Funded Feb 8, 2022

The flexible seating options in my classroom have made a bigger impact then I could have imagined! Not only are the students improving their core strength and focus by being able to wiggle and move as they work, but the freedom to chose what's best for them really is a powerful thing. When my students arrive in the mornings, they take their name plates from their cubbies and velcro them to the table at the spot they want to sit. I have 6 tables with 6 different options of seating, but the wobble stools and octopus chairs are an obvious favorite.

I recieved my orders after mid-year last school year, so I didn't fully implement a system for the seating in my classroom until this school year began. The students seemed mesmerized and a little confused by the different types of chairs, but also very curious. I had one student who came to Meet the Teacher night with his parents and was very shy. He hiding behind his parents, but as we talked, he started exploring the classroom. He came across the octopus chairs (we call them bubble chairs), and he began to bounce. As he bounced, he began to giggle, and by the end of the conversation, he was so comfortable that he wanted to stay a little longer. Out of all of the toys and games in my classroom, those chairs were what captured him!

With the implementation of flexible seating and brain breaks, I have done a lot to focus on gross motor skills. Next, I would like to shift some more focus to fine motor skills using sensory materials such as sand and water. My large sensory table and play doh are big hits in my classroom, but I would like to offer more options for sensory exploration using fine motor skills.

My students and I greatly appreciate your contribution to our learning environment and are excited to keep you posted on what will happen next!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. McComas