Now that I have *hopefully* convinced you that flexible seating is absolutely wonderful (see here) and that it is totally doable in your classroom (see here,) it’s time for the fun part! Today I am going over examples and ideas of different flexible seating options.

Flexible seating can get really expensive. I was fortunate enough to receive a $947 grant from our district to start me out. I highly advise you to seek out grant options online if you are looking for a big overhaul of seating in your classroom. If you are a big social media butterfly you can even create a Donor’s Choose donation page and convince all of your lovely friends to chip in!

Of course, not everyone can receive a grant and you might not be willing to invest a huge chunk of money into classroom seating. That’s ok too! I am going to give examples of some of the seating options I have in my class, and, since I received a grant, some of those are expensive. But I will also go over some more affordable options for those of you wanting to trickle in flexible seating while on a budget!

Before I get into examples…a note about variety: I know some lovely teachers who provided “flexible” seating by replacing all their chairs with one alternative form of seating, such as all exercise balls or all wobble stools. I  going to advise you to avoid doing this for two reasons.

First, it isn’t really flexible seating if you take away the element of choice. It might help the movement issue but it is ultimately you still telling the children how they should sit. That doesn’t foster independence or satisfy your students’ need for autonomy. Second, you really need to have a variety to figure out which seating options you prefer and which work best in your classroom with your students. One type of seating that I almost passed over ended up being my favorite, and the favorite of most of my students!

Ok time for some fun…here are some great flexible seating ideas:

Wobble Stools

Wobble stools, sometimes known as Hokki stools, are a really popular option and with great reason. They allow students to move around, wobble, and tilt, without coming off of the floor! This is a must for those chair-tilting kiddos that seemed determined to fall and bust their heads open. They are also lightweight, easy to store, and easy to move! I got these

from Kaplan because they are a vendor for our district. You can get them slightly cheaper at Amazon.

Exercise Balls

Exercise balls let kids bounce around and are a lot of fun. I even use my own birth ball to sit on during small group time. I splurged for these really expensive jellyfish chairs from Kaplan and have no regrets…I am obsessed with them. But if you are looking for something more affordable, just get some milk crates, turn them upside down and put in an exercise ball. (You want the milk crates so you don’t have balls rolling all over your classroom.) I am planning to invest in more of these in the future.

Ikea Stools

These plastic stools from Ikea are a very affordable option at only 7.99 a piece. They are sturdy and practical and the kids seem to enjoy them.

Core Cushions

Cushions are so great because of the versatility. You can create an alternative seat by just putting them in a regular chair, and kids that can’t sit still can use them on the rug with minimal fuss and distraction. I have these from Amazon.

Scoop Chairs

I adore scoop chairs! Perfect for kids who prefer sitting low to the ground. Wayfair has a great deal on them right now…click here to grab 6 for $30!

Pillows

A great affordable option is to go to Ross and pick up pillows or cushions. Get a low table and create a cute little alcove in your room. I don’t have many pillows because I had a lice incident and got paranoid. I have used vinyl cushions in the past and hope to go this route again in the future!

Beanbag Chairs

I have a love/hate relationship with bean bag chairs. The kids absolutely love them and they are super cute and comfy. But they inevitably lose their oomph over time and they take up so much space. Plus I have had more behavior issues with beanbag chairs than any other items (did I really just see you jump onto that beanbag chair RIGHT after we went over how to use it properly???)…but I still think it’s worth having a few because some kiddos read much better lying down and beanbag chairs are infinitely better than lying directly on the carpet (did I mention that I am lice paranoid?).

Beyond those ideas, the possibilities are endless! Inner tubes, hammocks, couches…check out clearance sections, dollar stores, and discount stores. Some of my favorite items have come from random purchases when I was just shopping around…like these amazing elephant stools I got at Ross!

Plus, if you are super crafty, there are tons of DIY options online, such as crate benches and tires converted into seating! This can definitely save you money if you are willing to put in the time and effort.

What awesome flexible seating do you use in your classroom? Comment below…bonus points for classroom pics!

 

Posted on: July 29, 2018, by : admin