Wobble Chairs as a Flexible Seating Option

Let’s talk about Wobble Chairs as a Flexible Seating Option: I like to think I am a “think out of the box” teacher. I like to find solutions to problems that some might steer clear of because my students think out of the box and they deserve solutions as unique as they are.

Why Wobble Chairs as a Flexible Seating Option?

My little loves this year is unique. They are colorful in spirit. Each child has a wonderful heart. They are delightful in their attempts. {And isn’t that half of learning? TRYING, ATTEMPTING, and putting forth effort?}

They are so much fun to lead to learning because they surprise me and inspire me. They PUSH me to work hard, do more, and think differently. I have tons of wigglers this year and accidental chair flippers, and even a “w” sitter.

My table chairs have always been optional. {for as long as I can remember.} You can stand if you want. You can sit if you want. But if you can’t sit the right way {aka flip your chair} you lose it. I just love you too much to let you hurt yourself or others.

Several of my little learners chose to work standing most of the time. And some of the time our chairs get a little out of control. We try to remember to push our chairs in when we are not using them, but more often they are pushed behind them.

The Introduction to Wobble Chairs

A few months ago a sweet friend of mine, Debbie Clement, showed me these chairs called WOBBLE CHAIRS. I should mention that all my tables are color coded with matching colorful chairs!

The red table has red chairs, the orange table has orange chairs, the yellow table has yellow chairs, the green table has green chairs, and the blue table has blue chairs. I was intrigued because I love the idea of different seating options, but I also have serious space issues. I don’t have room for those ball chairs.

I saw these chairs and I KNEW I had to try them out. So, I took a risk and ordered 4 gray wobble chairs. I knew I had a minimum of 4 students who would LOVE to try them out. The box was surprisingly small. I was shocked when I saw it came in 3 pieces just like this.

So, one night my Sweetie Pie Husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday. {My usual response is a tech toy.} I told him that I really wanted more Wobble Chairs. {Over an iPad people, I could have gotten an iPad.  That alone should tell you something.}

Flexible Seating Option Emerges

My addiction to Wobble Chairs as a Flexible Seating Option started right away. I put them together without any tools in under a minute and they have a tight hold. My own 6-year-old tried it out at home and BEGGED me to leave them at home. {She can get a little jealous of all the things I bring home, but then take to school.}

Two Feet or You Lose Your Seat

I gave them the simple rule: both feet on the floor. They pushed away the blue seat to make way for the Wobble Chairs. They love the chairs that much. But I don’t allow this. This was a great teachable moment. Chairs stay at their tables so we don’t have a mess everywhere.

To say these chairs were a hit would be the largest understatement of the year. Teachers’ kids come in before and after school to sit on them. My own little wonderfuls beg to sit on them. One friend would get his chair, then CARRY it around with him so he wouldn’t lose it to someone else.

Success

Every day these chairs were a blessing for my students. My students kept talking about how much loved them. I kept telling my husband how much I loved them. My daughter kept telling her dad how much she loved them. He said, “Well, get some more then!” He gave me permission to buy some for my class!

So I talked to Debbie again and she told me if you order 12 Wobble Chairs, you get free shipping. I wasn’t going to order that many, but Hubs saw the value and agreed! So I did what every smart gal does, I ordered them on the spot before he changed his mind!

I ordered the kids 12″ chairs in yellow, red, and purple seats this time.

Why? I didn’t have purple chairs for the purple table. 3 of the yellow table chairs were the same, but one of them wasn’t and it drives me bananas. And I liked how bright the red color was.

And they came SUPER FAST! Here are all 12 Wobble Chairs. {Super small packaging!} If you thought Christmas was fun you have never seen your student walk into the room with colorful Wobble Chairs. I opened up the purple chairs first and set them up.

Are There Any Problems?

Notice this picture. Do you see both hands on the table? Yep… she is prob about to twist on the chair. We talk about that too! Those are the two biggest problems we had. And that is NOTHING compared to the stillness in my room. My students “wobble” while they work or stand or sit in a regular chair.

And there is actually MORE active, but LESS distracting with their movement. We are not flipping chairs! I opened up the yellow ones next. And the red ones.

Once we had more chairs, the small issue of moving chairs around stopped. {I know have 16 in all since I started with the gray, then I added yellow, red, and purple for 16 in all. I still have a blue and green table with regular chairs so NOT everyone gets a wobble seat.}

Also, we don’t have many twisters anymore. We are still working on the two-feet-on-the-floor rule but we work on lots of things in kindergarten. And the chair balances well when you don’t have two feet down. It is pretty cool.

Pros of Wobble Chairs as a Flexible Seating Option

I love the EXTRA ROOM we have now. These seats take up very little room. They push in easily. And students can pick them up and place them on the tables themselves for cleanup.

I love the COLORS! They have so many colors I was shocked. Since I color-coded my tables, having matching colorful chairs with them is awesome.

My students love the OPTION of wiggling while they sit. When you see my class sitting or standing to work, you don’t see crazy movements you see natural rocking or standing.

I also love the ASSEMBLY. They were so easy to put together. And they stay together well.

I love the MATERIAL. They are lightweight and easy to clean. Even with messy art projects and muddy shoes.

After a little bit of time using these chairs I rarely have an issue with students using them incorrectly.

Where can you get Wobble Seats?

And I love Debbie Clement. Yes, you can buy these chairs for the same price on Amazon. But I want you to consider buying them through Debbie on this site. They are the EXACT same product but I love to buy from people instead of companies when I can. You can use PO money and go through Donor’s Choose as well.

I want to note I am not getting paid in ANY way to write this post, I simply love these chairs. The truth is, I purchase them myself and asked Debbie if I could write this post to share what I love.