Positioning
Providing appropriate seating/positioning options to allow the student to learn effectively.
HOW DOES IT IMPACT SCHOOL FUNCTION
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Helps with attention
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Improves core strength and balance needed for learning
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Provides necessary movement to help the student attend and learn
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Providing a properly fitting desk facilitates good sitting posture providing the foundation needed for learning, writing, and attention
CLASSROOM ALTERNATIVE SEATING
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Sit disc
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Standing desk
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T-stool
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Therapy ball
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Chair leg bands
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Zuma chair
CLASSROOM POSITIONING
- Position options and what they work on:
- Days of the week - positions to use for floor/carpet time
- Stand/kneel at desk
- When appropriate, allow students to sit in their chair on heels, crossed leg, etc.
DISCOURAGE W-SITTING
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W-sitting offers a wide base of support giving the child the trunk stability needed for sitting and upper extremity function
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By age 2, Children should no longer need to sit like this, as they should gain the trunk strength needed to support themselves allowing them to sit in a variety of positions as shown above
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Continued W-sitting can:
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Cause hip, knee, and foot problems later in life, and deny them the ability to gain the strength and mobility needed to develop proficient fine and gross motor skills
PROPER DESK SIZE GUIDE
SEATing ideas for students that struggle with personal space during group/carpet time
Daily Positioning Program
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MONDAY
Man Overboard
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TUESDAY
Tall Kneel
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WEDNESDAY
One Knee Up
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FRIDAY
All 5 Right
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These circle time ideas can go a long way toward supporting kids who struggle with sitting still, attending, transitioning, and more!
Make a smooth transition to circle time.
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Be prepared.
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Leaving kids hanging while you get your supplies and songs organized and prepared is a sure way to kill the momentum of your circle time. Have these things ready ahead of time to eliminate waiting time.
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Try fine motor tasks to support attention.
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Sometimes giving kids something to do with their hands can help lengthen their attention span for circle time. Try basic activities like stringing beads or placing pegs into a pegboard. Some of these reset activities would make perfect circle time activities too.
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Experiment with seating position to build attention.
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If a child struggles with staying at circle time, start by positioning her at a separate table or desk near the circle time area and have her complete one of the tasks described above (while circle time is going on) before being allowed to go and play elsewhere in the classroom. Gradually increase the amount of time spent at the desk engaging in the activities until the child is sitting for most of the circle time.
It may not look like it, but most often, the child will be picking up on a lot of the content that is being offered by the teacher at circle time (letter sounds, songs, etc.) just by being a bystander! Next, try moving the activities into the actual circle area, so the child is sitting in his/her seat but still has something to do with her hands.
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Try fidget toys during circle time.
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Similar to the fine motor activities described above, fidget toys offer kids something to do with their hands while they’re listening and attending to circle time. If the student tends to throw objects, try fidget toys that can clip to his or her belt loop or zipper.
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Use a visual schedule to guide the class through the circle time routine.
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A simple visual schedule using pictures, photos, or icons can go a long way toward helping kids move through circle time activities. Create a simple visual format to show kids that they will work through a designated set of circle time activities.
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Stay consistent.
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Keeping a fairly consistent circle time routine can help keep negative behaviors to a minimum. When kids know what is coming next and how much longer an activity will last, they are often calmer and more willing to participate. This kind of predictability can be particularly helpful for kids with sensory concerns.
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Encourage movement!
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Try to incorporate movement as much as possible during circle time. Movement songs, movement breaks, and learning activities that allow kids to get up and move can help to decrease fidgeting and other behaviors. Even super quick, super simple breaks for movement (e.g. Everyone clap your hands as fast as you can! Everyone shake your your hands! Everyone tap your head/legs/shoulders/etc.) between circle time activities can help!
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Try alternative seating.
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Alternative seating for the classroom can also be put to use during circle time. Different seating options can help provide support for kids who have decreased core strength, a bit of movement for kids who need to wiggle and fidget, or a boundary for kids who struggle with maintaining personal space or with having peers close to them. Options to consider:
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Scoop Rockers
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These chairs are designed to give a little vestibular input and support. Try introducing them during free play so that the novelty of the cute rocking chair wears off before the kids actually have to use them appropriately during circle.
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Be prepared.
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Weight provides proprioceptive input which can be calming for wiggly kids.
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Try fine motor tasks to support attention.
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By placing a ball inside a laundry basket, kids have the opportunity to bounce without the ball rolling away from under them and over the child next to them! Try to find a flexible basket that allows for some freedom of movement so that the child works her core a bit during this activity.
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Experiment with seating position to build attention.
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Typically used for the dreaded bleachers at a football game, stadium seats are also great for providing a little support for tiny bodies during floor sitting. They also give a sense of personal space.
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Try fidget toys during circle time.
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A staple in many preschool classrooms, cube chairs provide just enough support while still letting the child be at the level of his peers.
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Use a visual schedule to guide the class through the circle time routine.
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Make friends with your custodian, grab a few milk crates, turn them upside down and put a cushion on top. Instant chair! And a great way to help define personal space for kids.
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Stay consistent.
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This is a convenient, go anywhere chair. The back provides just enough support for a wobbly core and the seat gives a sense of personal space.
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Encourage movement!
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For that super wiggly kid, try a body sock. The resistive fabric will provide awesome, calming proprioceptive input. What are your favorite seating ideas for circle time? Share them in the comments below! Looking for more circle time tips and strategies? Check these out!
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