By Susan Bromley
Staff Writer
Brandon Twp.- In Toni Schlaire’s Kindergarten class at Oakwood Elementary, students have a new seating arrangement.
Instead of the traditional chairs, the children sit on exercise balls.
‘I wanted to implement the balls to see the effect on the students and see if it would improve behavior, attention, and time on task,? says Schlaire. ‘Typical 5- and 6-year-olds are meant to move and the time on the balls allows them to move.?
Schlaire’s students began using the exercise balls two days before Christmas break after other Oakwood teachers contributed the four balls they were given per classroom so that all the students in her kindergarten class would have a ball to use. The students use them anytime they are at their desks and Schlaire, who is keeping some data on the change, has seen an improvement in just the short time they have been using the balls.
‘I notice they seem more focused during their carpet time, because they have gotten their energy out on the balls,? she said. ‘It gives them that little bit of movement and freedom.?
Schlaire cites a Mayo Clinic study that shows students with attention problems can focus better by using the exercise balls for chairs. She also noted that use of the exercise balls is supposed to build core abdominal muscles and improves posture.
Students are still given the option of using a traditional chair, but less than five children have chosen to do that so far, and on Thursday, the number was down to only two.
‘Overall, I think they like it, they’re really enjoying them,? Schlaire said. ‘As long as I have the balls, they will be using them… They are allowed to wiggle and move if they need to. They know they are seats, not a toy.?