Flexible Seating for Fantastic Focus!

Funded May 31, 2019

Thank you so much for your contributions to our classroom. Your generous help has made my classroom a better learning environment for all of my students. With your donations we were able to purchase wobble stools and cushions, soft seats, a bean-bag chair, and ball chairs. All of these serve to help students maintain focus. In my classroom, the difference is very clear.

My students were extremely excited when they saw the bean-bag chair, soft seats and ball chairs.They instantly wanted to use them and could not wait for me to unpack them. To be honest, they were confused at first about the wobble stools and cushions but when they learned what they were for, they were just as excited to use them. The students have really been enjoying the chairs, and there has been a marked difference when they do schoolwork, when they need to listen, and during reading and computer time. It makes me smile sometimes when I look over at my students during small group time, independent classwork or at the computer center. Each child is able to chose the seating that will help them be able to focus on the task at hand. Some students may be bouncing away on ball chairs, swaying gently on the wobble stools or fulfilling their sensory needs with the wobble cushion all while completing their work with excellent focus. During reading centers, students are able to relax in the reading corner on the bean bag chair or soft seats.

Having flexible seating options is going to set the tone for my students for the rest of the school year. They are able to chose what accommodates them and helps them get closer to their goals. Because all of my students have Autism, this choice is monumental in assisting them with their focusing and sensory needs. Getting the funding for these materials and receiving them has impacted my students in so many ways already. Giving my students the power of choice and power to advocate for their own needs is huge. These materials are giving my students a voice-- which not all of them have innately.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have changed our lives and I will never forget it.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Tuttle