"Sitting still is overrated. It makes sense for the opera or for meditating, but in most classrooms and child care centers, it's given far more honor than it deserves. Children need to move. Movement is one of the ways brains develop." (Tom Hunter)...hence, the stability ball.
My students are full of energy and love to move.
During the day we do not always fit as much movement as we need. It is sometimes hard to find the time to get moving, keep students engaged and learn all at the same time. Our school has 8 Kindergarten classrooms, with approximately 18 students in each, and we all work as a fabulous team!
My Project
Within my classroom I have children that are between 5 and 7 years old. Many of them are very energetic and are unable to sit for even short periods of time. The stability balls will give them an outlet for all of their "wiggles".
Benefits of using stability balls in the classroom are many. First, students should become more physically fit with increased core strength. Next, it allows "active sitting" with little to no disturbance in the classroom. Students are able to bounce, move, and wiggle on their own ball, without disrupting others.
Brain research has shown that there is a link between movement and increased academic performance.
Combining movement and increasing blood flow should result in increased classroom learning. The use of ball seating is also fun! Something we can always use more of in a Kindergarten classroom! Please help my students get on a path to loving school and learning!
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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. Kibbe and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
