How do you allow your students to sit on the carpet when you are teaching/reading whole group?
This probably doesn’t seem like an important question. For the longest time, I required “criss cross apple sauce.” That is, until I attended a session at Frog Street Press’ Splash Conference with Marianne Gibbs. Marianne is the author and creator of Write Out Of The Box. She is an occupational therapist with tons of wonderful wisdom. You should totally sign up to receive her newsletter.
I realized my desire for my students to sit perfectly all in the same position strictly had to do with what I wanted, not what they needed. I would get so frustrated when they would wiggle or lay back, as if it was an act of disobedience.
After attending Marianne’s workshop, I felt like I was a whole new teacher. I realized how children are building their gross motor stamina for sitting and that every little (or big) movement is often fulfilling a sensory need. They are building their core strength and balance and that takes time. Lord knows, my core strength is in the toilet. Haha!
It no longer was about what I wanted but about giving them a choice to decide what they needed. There is a big difference!
Last year, I gave my students a choice. During whole group, they had two choices. They could sit cross-cross apple sauce or sit with their legs out in front of them. Most of them chose to sit with their legs out. I realized that when they sit in a manner that was more comfortable, they paid more attention to me. When I read longer books, I allow them to lie on their tummies. They act like its Christmas and I am the “best teacher in the world!”
Now, this has not been a cure-all for all of my sweet babies. Some need constant movement. I think this is difficult to come to terms with for some teachers but having THREE children with ADD or ADHD, I understand that much of that is beyond their control. I cannot enlist in a power struggle when it comes to this. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to but again, it is not about what I need. It’s not me against the child; it’s me against their body’s sensory needs.
I think it is easy to look at this like defiance, but honestly {and hopefully} that child wants to please you more than anything. Unfortunately, they can’t tune out their body that is screaming from the inside out.
This is where the wobble seats have come in handy. I purchased three chairs at the beginning of the year after I saw a definite need. My super talented friend Debbie Clement from Rainbows Within Reach sells these amazing chairs. Here is a picture from her website.
Busy friends can chose to sit in a wobble seat outside of the carpet so they can participate in the lesson or story as long as they continue to make good
choices.
choices.
This has been super helpful. Because they are allowed to move, they pay attention, I can teach my lesson and the class is not bothered by this in the least. It’s a Win, Win, Win, SUPER Win situation! If you want to read more about wobble seats, Mary from Sharing Kindergarten wrote an amazing post on them.
Sitting in one position will never meet the needs of all children. As a teacher, you know that one size will never fit all. Supporting your students by allowing them options and choices will help them become better learners because they will be engaged in what you are teaching and not fighting with their body.
I always have to remind myself when I can tell that they have reached their peak and I am not finished teaching that it’s no different than me sitting in a professional development and mentally checking out in ten minutes. It’s not that the information isn’t good; it’s just that my mind and body are struggling to focus because my internal needs are not being met.
Movement, comfort, interaction through conversation and music are all important when we are seeking active engagement with young
learners.
learners.
Believe it or not, that starts with how we require them to sit.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you found this post intriguing. For the record, no part of this post is sponsored. This is 100% my opinion and self-reflection based upon what I have learned and how it changed the teaching dynamic with my students.
You do what’s best for you and your students!
Love and virtual hugs!
Fantastic post, Crystal! LOVE the idea of choice and allowing for sensory needs!
Jennifer
I wholeheartedly agree. It is so very important to allow them a seating choice so they can then choose to learn! Thank you for sharing.
Love this post! I recently read a post by Kristen Smith and she mentioned she allowed her kiddos to sit criss-cross, mountain (hugging their knees) or mermaid (sitting on one hip) and I thought, what a great idea! I just love giving them options so they're more comfortable. I have the Lakeshore rug with squares so I think I'll try it as long as they can stay inside their square. Thanks again for the inspiration!
Great ideas Crystal- I complexity agree that they need options. I let my kids sit in different ways as long as it isn't taking up someone else's space. If they must on their knees, then they have to sit in the last row or on the edge.
I love this! I only gave my students the criss cross applesauce position. Definitely changing it up next school year. The kids need to be comfortable!!!
Beautifully written! I would love to have some wobble seats for some of my more wiggly friends.
Thank you for sharing! I'm definitely going to incorporate choice when we sit on the carpet next school year.
You really made me think. Thank you for encouraging teachers to make the best choices for the needs of all diverse learners.
Yes, yes, yes! Thank you! Sometimes I feel like other teachers whose kids HAVE to sit a certain way are judging me and think I am "slack" because I tell my kids to sit in whichever one of our "3 good choices" are most comfortable to them. Maybe when other teachers walk by my classroom, my kids aren't all sitting in a perfect row, but they ARE engaged and comfortable! I can't sit criss cross during a whole story, so how is it fair to expect them to?? I have really started asking myself this year if my requirements are actually necessary, or if they are just what I WANT…. if behaviour problems are actually problems, or if they are just annoyances (to me – it seems like it takes much more to annoy a kindergartener than their teacher, ha!). It has really helped me relax and my students have responded very well!
Andrea
Maternelle avec Mme Andrea
I LOVE this post! So glad to know that I am not the only kinder teacher whose littles do not love sitting criss cross apple sauce for more than 2 minutes! Also glad to know that I am not the only one who is giving choices like these!
Awesome post! Thanks for sharing. It really has me thinking as I prepare for next year.