Sensory Seats
As adults within a work setting, we make sure that we give ourselves regular opportunities to move throughout our working day. We stretch at our desks, stop for coffee breaks, go and speak with colleagues and maybe take a walk during our longer lunch break time. Movement is helpful for processing thoughts and for raising our alertness levels, helping us to self-regulate and sustain our attention in order to be productive.
For children, this is no different! For some, movement is a required sensory input that they seek, and which is needed for their regulation for learning. As an Occupational Therapist I spend many hours being ‘a fly on the wall’ in classrooms, observing what sensory feedback children are seeking, and considering appropriate resources that might support these sensory needs. In this blog, I’d like to share some of these movement providing options with you.
The Movin’ sit cushion is an inflated, wedge shaped, knobbly topped(!) cushion that comes in 2 sizes for younger and older children/adults. The wedge shape encourages improved posture whilst those knobbles provide some sensory feedback whilst seated. The cushion should be only partially inflated to allow it to do its job, which is to enable the child to move AND remain seated. These cushions can be used on the floor, school chairs and for seated learning sessions/assemblies etc, so are pretty versatile.
Using a height adjustable wobble stool provides more intense movement opportunities for stronger seekers, and relies on good postural control and balance skills due to its curved base. I have seen these used effectively in class for end of the morning storytimes and for some children, it's their preferred seat for the whole day.
For some young people, standing is helpful for their regulation. Therefore, the adjustable height standing desk topper might be a good option to consider.
Other children seek intensity and might be tipping back on their chairs or rocking. A solution for these more intense sensory options includes attaching a Theraband strip or loop to the front legs of their school chair for the child to kick or push against or they might like the leg movements offered discretely by a foot fidget.
These are just a few of the options available. There are more! A trial and error approach, supported by some initial detective work to identify what is needed, is recommended to find what works best for your young person. Not forgetting that you can always ask an Occupational Therapist! We are able to give specific details if we’re asked, but cannot name suppliers here.
Rachel White
Children’s Occupational Therapist