Kindergarten is a year full of transitions – it is exciting, and it can also be a little daunting. We recently spoke Jessica Dunning, kindergarten teacher at St. Matthew the Evangelist School in Bellevue, about what that is like. This will be her second year with flexible seating in her classroom, and she feels it has a number of benefits to students. Read on for more on flexible seating from Mrs. Dunning.
Choice
The kids are excited to pick their own seats every day and are accountable for their comfort, ability to work and behavior. They know they can sit by their friends and they make sure they behave and follow the set expectations so they can stay by their friends. How empowering it is for young students to have the opportunity to make good choices for themselves. In kindergarten, we are always talking about making good choices and poor choices. We try to encourage making good choices for ourselves. My students learn where and with whom to sit to make themselves successful.
Curiosity
I think it has really increased attention spans. My students are more focused throughout the day because they don’t need to worry about how they sit and are less antsy than they were when I had them sit in standard chairs daily.
Continued Excitement
They are excited to come to school and pick their spots. The general excitement of the morning carries over throughout the day, and continues each day.
Mrs. Dunning’s classroom has many different seating spot, including lap desks for the floor, a couch, regular chairs, short chairs with backs, which are floor level, exercise balls and even some beach chairs!
PICTURE TBD
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Our office loves the sense of community that develops in a classroom with flexible seating options, as students are encouraged to move and share with one another throughout the day. And that collaboration between groups of students is something we never tire of seeing. Flexible seating is one small way in which Catholic education helps students develop into capable and confident leaders in the classroom and in the community.
If you have never considered Catholic education before, check out our school finder to #discoverthelight in your family. St. Matthew is one of 71 schools in the Archdiocese of Omaha. More about St. Matthew at —-
