Safco Products Zenergy Ball Chair Crimson Mesh
This balance ball is arguably one of the best options on this list. These are covered with a mesh covering and has solid metal feet attached to a base. The Safco Zenergy ball looks more like a stool than it does a ball. These are perfect for flexible seating and houses the ball underneath the mesh outside. This chair is the perfect height for a desk and can accommodate students and adults up to 250 pounds.
With a 4.3 out of 5-stars review on Amazon from over six-hundred customers, teachers can be sure that they are receiving a quality product. Lastly, this item can be used without the legs if you are needed something shorter to fit underneath a small table or desk.
Our Thoughts
These are great because it is a pleasant surprise when seated. Still having the benefits of strengthening your core and improving balance, students can still wiggle and exert energy in a healthy and fun way. There arent any downsides to this product that pop out. There can be moved around and still provide the option of flexible seating.
Learniture Active Learning Chair
The Learniture stools are renowned for being some of the most stable on the market. The non-slip rubber base has a gentle curve for a controlled range of motion.
Its designed for heavy use in a classroom environment the polypropylene shell is wipe-clean and tough enough to resist anything a fidgeting fifth-grader can hit it with.
The active learning stool has a 15-year warranty available, meaning its tough enough that your students children could well be using the same chairs in two decades time.
Scoop Rocker Wiggly Kids Classroom Chairs
These rocker chairs for classrooms are a neat alternative to floor cushions or benches, suitable for ages 4-7. Theyre shaped a little like a plastic sled. Kids sit in the scoop and can rock gently back and forth, giving them a range of motion while stopping them from sprawling all over the floor.
This helps keep kids focused when doing floor activities like stories or circle time great for little ones who are still learning how to sit still and listen. Note that this product is aimed at educators, so at the moment you can only buy these seats as a set of 12.
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Some Reasons To Use Stability Balls In The Classroom
There is an increased amount of research circling the use of stability balls and other flexible seating forms within the classroom. Because of that research, many schools have been able to make the case to purchase these children. Furthermore, a lot of research is still being done and promotes why these things are useful in the classroom.
Which Size Exercise Ball Should I Buy
Exercise balls are measured in centimeters and come in five industry-standard sizes: 45 cm, 55 cm, 65 cm, 75 cm, and 85 cm. These measurements indicate the height of the ball once its fully inflated. For general exercise applications, the most common ball size is the 65 cm ball, best used for anyone between 59 to 62 tall.
To choose the best exercise ball size for you, measure the distance between the floor and your knees. That’s the size you want to go for. If your knee measurement is between ball sizes, buy the larger ball and under-inflate it. Your hips and knees should bend at a 90-degree angle when you sit on the ball.
Hard-to-find 85 cm exercise balls are ideal for individuals over 68 tall. To make things easier for you, use the chart below to choose the perfect exercise ball size based on your height:
|
Person’s Height |
|
|---|---|
|
LARGE 75 cm |
|
|
6’8″ and taller |
XLARGE 85 cm |
While the above chart is for general exercise purposes, choosing the ideal ball size to use as an office chair is slightly different. The University of Minnesota Extension recommends using an exercise ball that is one size larger for sitting at a desk. This is because the ball will deflate slightly when you’re sitting on it.
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The Sphere Of Success
Yoga for kids is all about having fun and developing healthy habits. Whether you choose a yoga ball to promote focus, minimize a case of the wiggles, add variety, or ratchet up the challenge, matching the right ball to your young yogi changes the game. Give children a shot at success both on and off the mat with a yoga ball that both tames and directs the exuberant energy of kids.
Trideer Stability Ball Chair Exercise Ball With Base
Like balls, this Trideer ball chair is best used for flexible seating in the classroom. This item comes with a base to prevent students from rolling onto the floor. With a weight limit that surpasses any of the other options on this entire list. The Trideer ball has Anti-burst technology and can withhold up to 2,000 pounds in weight. So bring on the jumps and bumps!
With a 4.4 out of 5-stars rating on Amazon from over one thousand customers, you can expect you are getting one of the best options for your class. This ball comes in two different sizes to accommodate both adults and children.
Our Thoughts
One of the main attributes that separate this ball from the others is not anything except for the sheer fact that it can withhold a substantial amount of weight. If you have ever been in a room full of children, you know they love to get energy out by flinging themselves onto something bouncy. AKAyour ball seats.
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Flexible Seating Requires Clear Rules And Expectations
As with anything in teaching, having clear rules about how the balls are to be used is extremely important. A direct consequence if they are not used correctly should result!
My students knew from the beginning that if they made a bad choice with their new seat arrangement, it would be taken away. I did give some of them the chance to earn it back at certain times, but they had to show me they could follow the rules and be responsible.
One thing I think I did correctly was anticipate problems and address them before they happened. Of course, there were more problems that occurred, but I feel as if the rules that I created address many possible circumstance.
Examples:They stay on the floor. This means no throwing them, bouncing them like a basketball, etc.
Bottoms on the ball translates to students not laying on their stomachs, knees, etc.
Bounce lightly translates to dont bounce obnoxiously like youre going to eject into the ceiling.
Here is an example of the rules I gave my kiddos:
Exercise Balls In The Home And Classroom
Children diagnosed with ADD who respond well to sitting on exercise balls may be able to use them in the classroom environment, provided that this accommodation is agreed upon by members of an IEP or 504 team. Some public school resource rooms have exercise balls available for children to use on an as-needed basis. Occupational and physical therapists also frequently use exercise balls as part of their treatment sessions.
Research has found that students diagnosed with ADD who used therapy balls as a seating option actually stayed in their seats longer and improved their handwriting legibility as compared to when these same students were seated in regular desks. This provides strong support for the use of exercise balls as classroom desks.
It is important to set limits and rules for the use of the therapy ball as a seating device. Every student that uses one should know that the ball has to stay in a designated space in front of the studentâs desk and that the student must stay seated on the ball at all times. If the student does not follow the directions or does not stay seated on the ball as instructed, then he can lose the privilege of using the ball. It is helpful to use colored masking tape and âtape outâ a square on the floor to give the child a visual cue as to the designated space for the ball.
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Therapy Ball Exercises For Children
When children exercise, they develop healthy bones and muscles, experience less stress and maintain a healthy body weight. Body weight fitness exercises like pull-ups, push-ups, jumping rope and crunches help keep kids strong and toned. Using a therapy ball , can challenge and improve children’s balance, coordination and muscles in many new ways while adding fun to their daily exercise routine.
Is It Healthy To Sit On An Exercise Ball At Work
While there are some benefits to using an exercise ball as an office chair , the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages. In general, you can use the exercise ball to sit. Whether the ball is high enough for you depends on a number of factors, including your desk height.
Many exercise ball users have reported less comfort when compared to using a regular office chair. Weve actually done research on this issue and wrote an article busting the myths surrounding the benefits of using exercise balls for chairs. You can read our article right here.
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From Bliss Wood Nashville Tn
Hello Holly, Really, I think the studio is up to the preference of the people using the space the most. I will just tell you what has worked for me and then you can make some choices, OK? I prefer a hardwood surface: it’s easier to clean and I feel it is the best flooring for sanitary reasons. ;Balance is better felt and achieved by using mats on a hard surface.
The shape of the room, when dealing with such a large group, should be more squared and not so rectangular so you can space your students out evenly and you can see them all better to check alignment and postures.
A soft color on the walls, like a seafoam green, or a camel would be nice…..cozy and warm is ideal so the students will feel comfortable and secure…..makes it easier for them to “let go” into their yoga. ;I would avoid stark and bold colors….except for maybe an accent or two……flowers and trifold screens are nice. ;Mirrors are very nice in that they allow the students to self adjust and see and feel what they are doing. Have a little out-of-the-way corner in the room for all the props so they are easily accessible, yet not in the way of the class….
Ok, I guess that’s enough of my input! ;Good luck with your new space!!!! Namaste!
Benefits Of Using A Stability Ball
It’s not all bad news, though. Sitting on an exercise ball can improve your stability and balance, as you must constantly engage the core abdominal muscles to stay upright. A stronger core helps protect the lower back and promote better posture.
Sitting on a ball may also increase your daily calorie burn by a small amount, according to the University of New Hampshire.
And when used during a workout, exercise balls can help improve your stability and mobility, according to the American Council on Exercise. These are two fundamentals of fitness, so establishing a strong foundation can improve your movement patterns for future exercises.
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They Help Students With Attention Disorders
Stability balls help students who have ADD, ADHD, or Anxiety primarily and help small children who are, by nature, wiggly little creatures. Because kids can move and fight on the stability ball, there isnt the issue of getting out of the chair to roam, tapping pencils on desks, or finding other things to pay attention to aside from the teacher.
In fact, a;study from the International Journal of Educational Research done in 2016 showed ;that sitting on stability balls improved attention span and temporarily alleviated anxiety/depressive symptomatology among grade 2 students. The article suggests that parents and teachers alike should consider the use of stability balls within the classroom for classroom management and increasing engagement in school-aged children.
Wobble Stool For Kids
The Wobble Stool is unlike any other option for flexible seating on this list. This stool allows children to wiggle from side to side or in circles, which provides the same benefits as yoga balls. With no assembly required, remove this item from the packaging and place it at the desk or table needed. There are two different sizes available for his stool, 14-17 and 17 to 21. The smaller size accommodates students under the age of 7, while the taller size benefits older children and adults.
This balance stool received a glowing 5-star review on Amazon. Moreover, this item is guaranteed safe and is designed to allow students to move without falling.
Our Thoughts
If youre an educator who wants flexible seating but doesnt want a bunch of balls bouncing around your classroom, this may be the best option for you. We love different sizes to accommodate both students and adults with the same benefits as the yoga ball.
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What If Your Child Is Just Plain Fidgety
You can act on this research whether or not your child has SPD or ADHD. As Henry and Barrows both note above, every kid has a need for movement. With or without a real ball chair, here are some things you can do to give your children more wiggle room while doing homework or other seated activities at home:
- If a child-size ball chair;isn’t in the budget, have your child sit on a Kids Stay-N-Play Ball an appropriate-sized;Balance Ball stability ball while reading, doing homework, even watching educational programming on TV.
- Place a;resistance band on the legs of a chair so your child can bounce her feet up and down while she works.
- Tape sandpaper to the underside of a table or desk so your child can rub his fingers against it while sitting for any task.
- Provide a bin filled with objects your children can fidget with during time they are expected to sit still.
How Sitting On A Ball Helps Kids Focus And Do Better In School
Balance balls were originally developed in the 1960s for physical therapy purposes; who knew that one day they’d be recommended for children who have trouble focusing in school?
But today, that’s just what’s happening. Balance balls might be just what the doctor ordered to help children reach their full potential in the classroom, especially for those;with sensory processing disorders,;Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or just a strong need to fidget.
Around the same time that fitness fans began using balance balls in their exercise regimens as a way to strengthen abdominal and back muscles,;ball chairs were developed as a way to;strengthen core muscles and improve posture while sitting. During the 1980s, some occupational therapists began recommending them to educators for classroom use, deeming them particularly helpful for children with special learning needs.
Then in 2003, a study was published in the;American Journal of Occupational Therapy concluding that in students with ADHD,;sitting on therapy balls improved behavior and legible word productivity. In other words, students using ball chairs were able to sit still, focus, and write more words clearly.
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How Do I Know If My Stability Ball Is Inflated Enough
Your stability ball should come with instructions on how to inflate it properly, but a good rule of thumb is to base it on the diameter size a 65cm ball should be about 65cm across when fully inflated.
When you put your weight on the ball, it should have just a little bit of give not too firm or too squishy. One exception: If youre struggling to keep your balance, you may want to slightly under-inflate the ball at first. A slightly softer ball helps with balance, so if youre just starting out, you may find it more helpful to start softer and work your way up, Correia says.
Best Soft: Vivora Luno Sitting Ball Chair
Many exercise balls are crafted from PVC and designed with workouts in mind. But Vivoras Luno Ball Chair is a softer, grippier optionand a worthy alternative to your desk chair. The ball is crafted from high-quality felta textured fabric that promises to grip the floorkeeping the ball in place . Because convenience is important, the balls cover is also machine wash-friendly.
Vivoras Luno Ball Chair boasts a weight capacity of 400 pounds and it promises to hold its shape over timewhile still retaining enough flexibility to be comfortable. Like other exercise balls, this one ships deflated, and it comes with a hand pump you can use to inflate it.
The ball comes in two different sizes26x24 inches and 30×26 inchesand a variety of textiles .
It’s backed by a six-month warranty.;
Gaiams Stay-N-Play Children’s Balance Ball was designed with kids in mind, and it shows. The ball comes in two sizes18 inches and 20 inches and both come attached to a series of legs that promise to keep the ball from tipping over. This stabilizing feature will cut down on accidentsand it will keep the ball from rolling all over your home.;
Even better: The ball is available in an array of fun colors and designs. Choose between a solid blue, green, orange, or charcoal option. Or opt for a ball thats adorned with a silly face. Either way, youre little one is in for a ton of fun.;
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Overhead Reach To Squat
Stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart, holding the ball overhead with arms outstretched. Keeping your chest and head up, squat your body down like sitting in a chair, lowering your arms in front so that the ball touches the floor. As you start standing, raise the ball up, returning to the start position. This works the glutes, thighs, shoulders, upper back and core.
source https://www.ontarioyoga.net/what-size-yoga-ball-for-classroom/
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