Appropriate seating may not be the first thing a parent or teacher would think of as the child begins an assignment; however, having different options can potentially boost their performance. Children with or without learning differences may benefit from a variety of seating accommodations.
Seating options for classroom and homework spaces could include:
- Beanbag chairs
- Yoga or exercise balls
- Rocking chairs
- Large cushions or pillows
- Floor mats or exercise mats
- Carpet squares
- Couches, large foot stools, arm chairs or loveseats
- Fold up style bleacher chairs or stadium chairs
- Lawn chairs
- Video game chairs
Traditional classroom chairs or folding chairs can be enhanced by:
- Placing rubber bands (i.e. exercise bands) around the legs of the chair or desk so that children can bounce their feet, push on the bands or pull them back and forth with their feet while working.
- Using regular or textured cushions on the chair. Wedge cushions may also be used.
- Try chairs that spin or move back and forth. These type of desk chairs often have an option to adjust the height, allowing students to swing or kick their legs.
Some students may prefer to stand while working. Standing desks and tables work well in these situations. Small adjustments to a child’s seating may make a difference in their performance. Although, it make take some trials to see what works best, many children will benefit from learning how to use seating options to help accommodate their learning.
