This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Project
Flexible seating can be a powerful tool for supporting students in low-income environments, particularly those with behavioral, academic, and emotional needs. Traditional seating arrangements often don’t meet the diverse needs of students who may struggle with focus, self-regulation, or engagement. By offering choices like floor cushions, wobble stools, bean bags, or standing desks, students are empowered to find a space that works best for their learning style. This sense of control can improve attention, reduce behavioral outbursts, and create a more inclusive and calming classroom atmosphere. Alongside flexible seating, tools like fidgets can further support focus and emotional regulation, giving students a quiet outlet for their energy and anxiety.
My students are incredibly resilient, compassionate, and full of potential, despite facing challenges that many their age should never have to endure.
Many come from homes affected by financial hardship, trauma, or instability, which can impact their ability to concentrate and feel emotionally safe at school. Flexible seating and access to appropriate fidgets—such as stress balls, textured bands, or quiet manipulatives—can provide them with a sense of comfort and security. These tools help them stay grounded, reduce anxiety, and regain focus without becoming distractions to others.
Academically, flexible seating combined with fidget tools encourages engagement, movement, and personalized learning. It supports differentiated instruction by allowing students to choose spaces and tools that suit their individual needs—whether they need a quiet corner to concentrate or a fidget to help manage sensory input. For my students, these resources can mean the difference between disengagement and active participation. This small but impactful shift in the classroom environment fosters confidence, improves behavior, and helps students feel more capable and successful in their learning journey.
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
Flash Furniture Lars Black 24'' Round Wood Cocktail Table with 30'' and 42'' Columns
• Amazon Business
$118.16
1
$118.16
Libima 8 Pcs Wiggle Seat for Sensory Kids Inflated Wobble Cushion Sensory Seat Flexible Seating for Classroom, Balance Disc with Needle Pump Wobble Cushion for Kids Children
• Amazon Business
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Guajardo and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
