Students in Lisa Holloway’s fourth grade classroom can be seen reading attentively at their desks and sitting on large, colorful yoga balls instead of chairs. The reading scores of Holloway’s students have improved since the introduction of the yoga ball seating. Her students won prize money at a county fair and this money funded the purchase of the balls. Holloway’s interest in classroom seating alternatives has been pushed by her current work on a Master’s degree.
Who wouldn’t prefer to sit on yoga balls that uncomfortable, outdated desks?
The use of yoga balls rather than desk has possibilities.
The benefits of using yoga balance balls in elementary classroom seating is supported by major studies. The balls are good for all students’ posture and have also been shown to benefit students with sensory processing challenges and ADHD. Keeping balanced on the balls helps such students’ behavior but also their development of reading skills. Holloway’s supportive principal comments that the balls are less expensive than traditional seating, and Holloway notes that students like their colorful balls and are motivated to do work using them.
Holloway said she also talked to a physical therapist who told her that sitting on a yoga ball as compared to sitting in a chair is good for posture in children. Research shows that balance balls can help children with sensory processing disorder, students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or fidgety children.
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Key takeaways
- Yoga balls seem to keep students aware of their movements.
- The STAR reading level has improved since yoga balls were implemented.
- Yoga balls for chairs also helps students with posture.
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