Stability Balls Keep Beach Students Focused and Active

Bethany McLendon, a Virginia Beach public school teacher at Holland Elementary, deserves a round of applause for her health inspired solution for a fidgety class!

According to the Virginian-Pilot article, when McLendon realized that her students were having trouble paying attention in class, she didn’t try to punish them – instead she adjusted her classroom to help the young kids manage their fidgets. She petitioned the principal for permission to swap the regular desk chairs for stability balls.

The new stability balls allows children to sit comfortably and ergonomically at their desks without the “hurt bottoms” of the old, hard chairs. Before introducing the balls, students were more likely to fidget and get distracted, now they are able to positively channel their physical energy without losing focus on their lessons.

A number of studies support the use of stability balls in the classroom, including one published in 2004 in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. The study suggested stability balls might improve behavior and attention in students. “Kids need to move; when they are moving, they learn more,” McLendon said.

Source: The Virginian Pilot, “Stability balls keep Beach students on their toes”