Stand up desks provide an opportunity for children to meet their physical needs at the same time they are practicing academic skills. Many five- and six-year-old children simply can't sit still for very long, and stand up desks can remove the dangerous and distracting temptation to tip, spin or fall.
Our classroom is filled with 30 students who have not been in any type of pre-school setting.
A significant social learning challenge is how to share space with so many peers. Part of this challenge is learning how to be a student, which can require a lot of calm sitting when their young bodies really need to stretch and move. Providing students with alternative ways to be part of the classroom community, while respecting their different physical needs makes it possible for all students to feel as though the classroom is a safe, supportive environment. The student who can't sit still can flourish in the same environment as the student who prefers a quiet corner. Creating a classroom environment that supports both of these extremes opens the door to learning for all students.
My Project
The stand up desk will be available to students as either a personal choice, or as teacher-redirection for a student who is having difficulty staying focused on tasks at a traditional desk. Over the course of the year many students develop the patience and ability to sit for longer periods of time, so the stand-up desk is not a permanent spot for any one child. It is there for those individuals, and those times, when more physical exertion can actually support learning. Having seating alternatives in the room also supports individual problem solving. All students in the room develop the understanding that there is no one right way to approach a task, and that what works well for one person may not work for another.
There are a number of students who struggle to control the energy in their bodies during our focused working time.
They run the risk of hurting themselves, or others, when they tip or spin in their chairs. Rather than placing a negative label on this physical energy, a stand-up desk demonstrates to all students that the energy they have in their bodies is a great thing. They simply need to learn to use it in a way that will not distract, or hurt, themselves or others.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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