Third-grade students at Andersonville Elementary have traded their four-legged chairs for something more curvy.
They are now using stability balls, also known as a yoga or exercise ball. After a few weeks they have already noticed a difference.
‘It’s very relaxing,? said Anthony Bermaulen, from Angela Comp’s class. ‘A regular chair hurts your butt but not the yoga ball. Also, you have better posture with your body.?
Jeremy Cavallo, Isabel Halloway and Karli Keilitz agreed.
‘I am not slouching and I am more attentive,? added Keilitz.
The third-grade teachers had seen articles on schools in different districts using yoga balls and looked into it.
They wrote a grant and asked for their PTO to look over and vote on approving it.
‘We have very generous parents,? said Comp. ‘I can’t say enough good things about the yoga balls. For our kids it helps to get the wiggles out, helps their core muscles, improves their handwriting and helps them to focus better.?
Cavallo did notice his handwriting getting better.
Carol Barber has noticed a difference in a few of her students? behaviors after using the yoga ball.
‘One has a really tough time focusing and he has been doing a lot better,? she said. ‘Another didn’t want to give up his chair but started to like it. He could move and get up without the noise of the chair. It helps them move and helps with their thought process.?
The students have also done well following the rule – keeping both feet on the ground and no throwing or kicking the balls.
They are not allowed to bounce on the balls unless it is bounce time – time teachers allotted if the students are good and they have a few extra minutes during the day.
‘They really enjoy having bounce time at the end of the day,? said Comp. ‘They are responsible with them.?
Each class began with one ball for the students could get used to sitting and using it during class time.
Comp immediately saw the difference while students were using the practice ball.
‘They seemed more engaged,? she said.
The grant asked for 90 yoga balls – 75 for students, six for staff members and a few for classroom volunteers. They had five extras and gave them to their first grade book buddies.
During their research they found doctors supporting the use of yoga balls because balancing on the ball requires more focus and promotes blood and oxygen flow in the body. The flow leads to increased brain stimulation to help the students stay alert.
‘They are excited we are doing this and maybe more classrooms will go this way,? said Comp.