Dynamic Seating with Increased Sensory Input for Students Who Need to Move to Learn

Many children, especially those diagnosed with ADHD, require significant movement to stay engaged.  They self-regulate better when they are moving.  They focus better when they are moving.  They learn more when they are moving.  Unfortunately, the typical classroom is set up to expect students to learn, focus and self-regulate while sitting quiet and still.  When these students’ needs are not being met, they become disruptive to themselves, other students and the teacher when they move around the classroom, tip their chairs on two legs, get frustrated, blurt out, and don’t engage in the classroom activity.  These Zuma rocker chairs are currently being used for an entire fourth grade class at Kings Beach Elementary School with huge success.  The teacher reports that students rock most of the time but that they are more attentive and focused.  “I love the chairs:  It feels good to see the students happy over this simple classroom change.  In addition to the obvious benefits of movement and blood flow to increase focus, attention and listening, I think they feel special and more responsible for their behaviors”. 

My hope is if we have a handful of these chairs that we can trial with our most challenging students, we will have a better idea of what sort of strategies, environmental modifications, and equipment TTUSD should purchase in the future to provide an environment in which even our most wiggly students can learn.