Using Chair Balls ™ in the Classroom

1. Using Chair Balls™ in the Classroom

2. Objectives Purpose of Activity: To share alternative teaching strategies with other teachers to enhance learning. Objectives: Teachers will have a clear understanding of ADHD and the effects it has on a student’s ability to learn. Teachers will become aware of the different problems and educational concerns found in a typical classroom. Teachers will have a clear and in-depth understanding of the purpose of Chair Balls™ and how to effectively use them in their classrooms. Teachers will gain a better understanding of the research behind Chair Balls™ and their effectiveness in the classroom. Teachers will be given the opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions about the activity. Teachers will be given adequate provisions to identify needs which may not have been previously identified.

3. Fidgeting Standing (out of seat) Wandering Around Day Dreaming Pacing While Working Talking Excessively How can we minimize these behaviors? Educational Concerns What off-task behaviors have you observed in your classroom?

4. Chair Balls™

5. Students who are diagnosed with ADHD. Students who have not been diagnosed with ADHD. The typical regular education student. Students with special needs “Children diagnosed with ADHD experience academic and sensory motor problems that make typical school activities a challenge” (Mulligan, 2001). Who?

6. What? “A stability ball is a heavy duty rubber ball filled with air from 45 to 75 centimeters in diameter; they are available with or without 4, 2 inch rubber legs. The legs do not stabilize the ball, but they prevent the ball from rolling away when the person rises” (Bill, 2008). • Chair Ball™ • Stability Ball (generic term) • Swiss Ball • Fit Ball • Gym-nic Ball™ • Sit “N” Gym Ball™ • Physic Ball • Therapy Ball • Gymnastic Ball • Aerobic Ball • Yoga Ball • Exercise Ball • Balance Ball

7. “European Schools have been using therapy balls and other types of dynamic seating devices in the classroom as chairs to improve back health since at least 1988” (Swiss Journal of Physical Education, 1994). “Currently therapy balls are being used as the primary seating in over 5,000 classrooms in Switzerland” (Spaulding, et al., 1999). When/Where?

8. How? • Chair Balls™ replace the need for regular classroom chairs. • Students sit on the Chair Balls™ while they are at their desks or in small groups. • Safety • Chair Balls™ vs. Chairs • Students aren’t leaning back in their chairs. • Rules • Bottom has to stay in contact with the ball • No excessive bouncing • No drumming • Chair Ball™ legs must be in contact with the floor at all times • One foot must have contact with the floor • Consequences • Lose ball for day

9. Unique and innovative way to decrease off-task behaviors and improve listening and engagement in the classroom Possibly enhances academic performances “The whole theory with the brain is that when your body’s engaged, your brain’s engaged” (Miller, 2009). Why?

10. Please enjoy the following video about Chair Balls ™.

11. What has Research Found? Witt and Talbot (1998) stated, “Children in a private Florida school who began sitting on therapy balls demonstrated overall improvements and work habits, particularly in attention and classroom behavior”. Schilling and Washington (2003) indicated that both in-seat behaviors and legible work productivity improved when seated on the therapy balls. Schilling and Schwartz (2004) found substantial improvements with in-seat behaviors and engagement in all participants when seated on therapy balls. Bennett (2007) found, “Increased activity levels and enhanced physical fitness influence cognition and alertness in the classroom”. “They’re awesome,” said 10-year-old James Howell, a fourth grader at Bauder Elementary School. “They help you focus, they help you keep your structure and sometimes you get to bounce on them and get the wiggles out.” (USA Today, 2009)

12. References Bill, V. (2008). Effects of stability balls on behavior and achievement in the special education classroom. Southwest minnesota state university . Retrieved (2010, January 21) from http://student-healthissues.suite101.com/article.cfm/no_ more_classroom_chairs Chambers, T. (Producer). (2006). Adhd visual picture anology. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.adhdawareness.com/ADHD-visual-picture.html Date, S. (Producer). (2008). Classroom's chairs bounced for exercise balls. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.minipost.com/stevedate/2008/04/24/24/1616/ video_report_classroomchairs_bounced_for_exercise_balls,com Henderson, K. (2004). Teaching children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: instructional strategies and practices. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Education. Huebner, R. A. (2001). Autism: A sensorimotor approach. Gaithersburg, Maryland: Aspen Publishers Inc. Johnson-Ecker, C., & Parham, L. D. (2000). The evaluation of sensory processing: a validity study using contrasting groups. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 54494-503 Kauffinan, J. (2001). Characteristics of emotional and behavioral disorders of children and youth (7th ed.). Columbus: Merrill Prentice Hall.

13. References Continued Llli, U. (1994). Balls instead of chairs in the classroom? Swiss Journal of Physical Education, 6, 37-39. Mayo Clinic News (2006). Retrieved on March 14, 2010 from http://www.mayoclinic.org/levine-classroom-future. Mulligan, S. (2001). Classroom strategies used by teachers of students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 20, 25-44 Puliti, B. (2007). Standing room only. Advance for Occupational Therapists. 23 (1). 40. Pytel, B (2007, November 21). No more classroom chairs: Students are sitting on exercise balls. Student health Issues. Schilling, D., Washington, K., Billingsley, F., & Deitz, J. (2003). Classroom seating for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: therapy balls versus chairs. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 57(5), Witt, D., &Talbot,R. (1998, February). Let’s get out kids on the ball Advance for Physical Therapists, 27-28. Wyatt, Kristen. (2009, March 04). No chairs: students "get the wiggles out" on exercise balls. USA Today, E1-E2.