Students with sensory concerns are finding help from an unlikely source: tennis balls. Amy Maplethorpe, a speech language pathologist at Raymond Ellis Elementary School in Round Lake, Illinois, used hot glue to attach tennis ball halves on the back and seat of chairs in the school’s sensory room. She told The Huffington Post the chairs are helpful for many kids who have difficulty regulating sensory input within their body and in their environments. Some of the students’ diagnoses include autism, Down syndrome and components of sensory processing disorder. Maplethorpe explained to HuffPost that the tennis balls offer a different texture than regular chairs. “By sitting down on it, it could just be that input that a student needs at that time instead of that flat surface that kind of gives that rounded feel to the chair,” she said. Though the results are different for every student, Maplethorpe, who said she got the idea from Pinterest, has seen many benefits for her students.
“First-grade students that have used the chair, they have become more patient and have followed directions,” she said. Maplethorpe also noticed a decreased restlessness from the younger students while they waited to take tests. Her older students have told her that they like the chairs as well. One student with autism simply runs his hand over the tennis balls (”That’s another way to get that sensory input,” Maplethorpe said.), and another student enjoys sitting in the chair and listening to music. Raymond Ellis Elementary School posted a photo of Maplethorpe with the chairs on its Facebook page on Jan. 26. The post has been shared more than 90,000 times as of Wednesday. Beth Kiewicz, the school’s principal, told HuffPost she’s thrilled to share this alternative seating for students with sensory concerns. “I’m really excited that this has taken off and I’m really excited to see the benefits for students across the country, and educators and parents,” she said.
The HuffPost Parents newsletter offers a daily dose of personal stories, helpful advice and comedic takes on what it’s like to raise kids today. The benefits of active sitting chairs for children exceed beating obesity at young age. Just like for grown-ups, active sitting offers a myriad of health benefits for kids. Since, a few years ago, the detrimental effects of prolonged sitting and poor posture have come to light, we can do our offspring no bigger favor than to familiarize them with ergonomic stools and chairs that transform stationary sitting into an activity. If only because kids love being active and the movement brought by these seats is a fun alternative to the boring sitting still that is such an ordeal for many kids. Of course increased focus and doing better in school are a huge bonus too. Teaching children from a young age to make smart choices is an essential part of their upbringing. So here’s a selection of the best ‘unsupported’ seats for kids you can buy today.
This sitting stool for children is adjustable in height, growing with them from the time they can first sit all the way up until they are five. The colorful Regency Adjustable Stool is a wonderful addition to any children’s room, and is made for parents who need to save money by purchasing functional furniture that grows with their children. What looks like a strange alien ship with landing legs extended is actually the Safco Ball Chair for kids. There’s no worrying about bursting your kid’s bubble (or in this case, their chair) with this product; it has an anti-burst inflatable ball in the seat that’s as comfy as it gets! For the kid who is always moving and cannot sit still comes a seat just for them. Whether they want to bounce up and down or swivel their hips while they work, this Active Learning Stool provides the over-active and energy-filled child with something to tame their cravings of movement while allowing them to sit and do their work. Perfect for a child that does not enjoy sitting still.
Let your child spring into action at his or her work desk with the playful ErgoErgo posturepedic chair. Homework time is made fun again with this space-saving furniture piece. It also makes it easy for your child to focus while accomplishing daily homework tasks. Therapeutic chairs for children are highly beneficial, not only to your child’s spine and neck, but their overall health as well. With the Balance Ball Chair, kids can have secure seating for their room. When the ball isn’t in use as a chair, it can be used to exercise. At first glance, the Swoppster looks and feels a bit like sitting on a pogo stick. A mini version of the popular adult Swopper, this cushioned stool sits on a thick spring which sways very slightly with the child’s body weight. So when the child leans forward, the seat tilts slightly forward too. This gentle movement doesn’t only strengthen the upper body, it also supports normal brain development. The Baby Ball Chair is perfectly sculpted to support your child’s neck, back and abdomin with these delightfully colorful chairs.
The eye-popping colors not only make them your child’s favorite piece of furniture, but they add a lovable dash of style to your décor. Head to Made In Design to learn more. As parents, it’s hard to get your kids to sit up straight. Gaiam’s Stay-N-Play Balance Ball will make proper posture while sitting on this ball fun and easy. It also helps exercise legs and other muscles to keep your child healthy and active, even while sitting. A warm seat is always appreciated, and this Rocking Roller Desk Chair is no exception. The soft fur and cushioned seating will keep your child comfortable for hours, and they’ll get some exercise in the process. Staying on the ball requires balancing with muscles they’re not used to using. It’s a leg-strengthening exercise and plush seat all in one! If your child has a lot of pent up energy that’s dying to get out in a healthy way, the Kore Wobble Chair is the perfect solution. Children can exercise and spend some of that energy without leaving their seat.