Flexible

Seating in
Elementary
Classrooms
Article of the Week
Lane Ann Rumel
 Definition of Flexible Seating
Flexible seating is the
environment where there
are a variety of seating
mechanisms for students
to choose from instead of
the typical desk and chair
seating in a classroom
(George Lucas Educational
Foundation, 2015).
Types of Flexible Seating

Kinesthetic Learning Tables (KLT): provides a

variety of movements including bicycle pedals,
balance seats, ski swings, cross lateralization,
and elliptical type movements. Studies found
increase in reading achievement

Therapy/Stability Balls: Multiple studies

showed students were more likely to be on
task while working on a therapy ball. This
lead for researchers to conclude that
students are able to learn what movements
they need to stay on task.
Types of Flexible Seating

Standing Desks: Studies have suggested that

students will choose to stand over sitting
during a lesson. As well as, students are
more engaged in standing learning
environments than in traditional seating.

Stools/Wobble Stools: Standing desks can be

paired with stools to allow students to rest.
These tall stools give students another option
with less pressure on their joints. Wobble
Stools allow students the opportunity to
release energy.
 Advantages of Flexible
seating
Modern teaching philosophies have a strong emphasis on students using critical
thinking skills. Flexible seating allows students to feel empowered in their
learning space. It also allows students to move around easily and collaborate
with peers. Flexible seating also gives students with sensory issues a sensory
input, extra movement might be what they need to stay on task. This also
helps teachers, they are less likely to have to deal with off-task behaviors.

An educators goal is to build students into problem solvers and

critical thinkers. When using flexible seating students get the
opportunity to become more aware of how they learn best,
including what type of seating allows them to learn best.
 Disadvantages of Flexible seating

Some teachers found that their can be collaboration between students with
traditional seating through desk clumps. At the beginning of the school year
teachers are working on establishing rules and expectations in their classroom.
They found that some seating arrangements can increase on-task behaviors
while others decrease on-task behaviors. Furthermore, it was found that some
students were territorial of the flexible seating that they preferred. Teachers
also discovered that flexible seating makes it hard to monitor students during
assessments.
Conclusion

Every teacher has different preferences of how to run their

classroom. This includes how it will look and sound during work
time. Flexible seating gives students more freedom to move
around the classroom and this could bring more time for
students to stop and talk to classmates. As a future teacher it
is important to take in all of the different classrooms you
enter and find what you like and don’t like. Then, compile your
favorite classroom management methods to bring into your
classroom.
Article Link
Grimm, Pepper A. Teacher Perceptions on Flexible Seating in the
Classroom: Effects on Student Engagement and Student Achievement,
William Woods University, United States -- Missouri, 2020. ProQuest,
https://www.proquest.com/docview/2438899428/fulltextPDF/685AC7
F0F4F34CB9PQ/1?accountid=15099