At the start of each school day, many kids head straight to their assigned seats. But in a growing number of classrooms, kids get to choose not only where they sit but what they sit on. Take the fourth- and fifth-graders in Colleen Metzler’s class at Vergennes Union Elementary School in Vermont. They can choose a regular chair at a desk, a rolling chair, or even an exercise ball. This type of arrangement is called flexible seating.
Some teachers say letting kids sit on a giant beanbag or a wobble stool helps break up the daily routine. They argue that giving kids the freedom to sit where they want makes learning more enjoyable, which helps them focus.
“I don’t sit still in a chair when I teach,” says Metzler. “So I can’t expect my students to sit totally still in a chair facing forward.”
However, opponents of flexible seating argue that kids need structure so they can concentrate. Some teachers say sitting next to friends—or on bouncy exercise balls—can cause too many distractions.