Regulation Rendezvous: Alternate Seating

It is nearly impossible for anyone to stay seated all day long! Especially, for young learners or students who need different sensory input. With most classes returning to in-person learning, it is important to consider how you can provide alternate seating options to make sitting during seatwork or group activities more conducive to learning. We have seen tons of creative ideas in our districts which we have gathered in today's Regulation Rendezvous. 

Alternate Seating for Carpet Time

Some students struggle with where their body is in space or with the core strength needed to sit on the carpet for long periods of time. Alternate seating can be used to provide them with physical boundaries and sensory input to make carpet time more manageable. 

Differentiated carpet time seating
Molly Magoteaux
Kleptz ELC, Northmont

Differentiated carpet time seating
Amy Beanblossom
Arcanum Elementary, Arcanum

Carpet time cars (how adorable!!)
Pam Locker
Washington Primary, Piqua

Zuma Floor Rocker
Kleptz ELC, Northmont

Alternate Seating for Desk Work

For many of our students, desk work requires significant cognitive effort to sustain attention to the academic task. The ability to sustain this effort can be negatively impacted if student sensory needs are not met. Alternate seating is a great way to keep students engaged and on-task while still meeting sensory needs!

Foot rest for desk work
Rylie Jarrett
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

Hokki stool in student home base
Stacey Rickmon
Northmoor Elementary, Northmont

Mini Hokki Stool for standing to work
Demmitt Elementary, Vandalia-Butler

Hokki Stool in student home base
Ashley Fry
Bradford Elementary, Bradford

Bungee rolling chairs
Sarah Vikan
Schnell Elementary, West Carrollton

Zuma rocker with bouncy band on desk legs
Lindsay Hixson
Charles Huber Elementary, Huber Heights

Zuma Chair with arms
Catherine Anderson
Rushmore Elementary, Huber Heights

Alternate Seating for Group Work

Just like during desk work times, group work times require significant cognitive effort. Additionally, there are increased social demands such as paying joint attention to peers, participating, and working collaboratively. Again, alternate seating can be a great way to meet sensory needs so that students are more equipped to meet group work expectations. 

Mini Hokki Stools
Demmitt Elementary, Vandalia-Butler

Textured Peanut seats
Nikki Tinnermann
Kleptz ELC, Northmont

Alternate Seating for Break Times

For some students, they may be able to manage in a typical school chair for seat work or group times, but after extended periods of time, they may need to physically reposition to provide a reset and get ready for the next activity. Providing alternate seating for use between activities or during breaks can provide this opportunity to reposition and reset. 

Gamer chair
Catherine Anderson
Rushmore Elementary, Huber Heights

Seating options
Allysson Leapley
Tipp High School, Tipp City

Spin Discs
Amy Pratt
Springcreek Elementary, Piqua

Alternate Seating Options

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to alternate seating. And what works for a student one day, may not be as effective the next day. We think it is wonderful when teachers provide a variety of alternate seating options for students to choose from.

 

Therapy ball, stool, stationary bike, gamer rocker, and beanbag seating options
Allysson Leapley
Tipp High School, Tipp City

When providing alternate seating options, we highly recommend direct instruction and priming of expectations to ensure students use these seating options appropriately and when permitted. Check out our Top 3 Tips for ideas on implementation.