The idea behind a flexible classroom environment (or flexible seating) is that students can move around more in class, which gives them greater freedom of choice and helps them stay motivated. How does it work? Classrooms are simply arranged to promote movement and independence. The good news is that this concept can also be applied at home.
Changing positions or moving to a different spot during homework time has been proven to boost concentration. In addition to sitting at a desk, which provides good stability when writing, your child could try the following:
- Sitting on a stool (e.g., when doing writing assignments)
- Lying on cushions on the floor (e.g., when doing reading assignments)
- Sitting on a yoga mat (e.g., when reviewing lessons)
- Sitting on an exercise ball (e.g., when working on word problems)
- Etc.
Moving during homework time has been shown to increase motivation and concentration. Here are some simple ways to incorporate movement into your child’s homework routine:
- Suggest working from a standing position at the table or counter
- Have your child use a timer to divide up tasks and move around in between
- Suggest walking around the table while learning operation tables
- Etc.
Empower your child by pointing out the importance of adapting their posture and working environment to suit their needs. To steer your child in the right direction, consider making the following suggestions:
- Find a quiet spot to work
- Keep your feet on the ground when sitting at your desk
- Divide work into smaller tasks
- Take breaks to move around
- Etc.
To switch up learning methods, consider using posters and charts to practise multiplication, verb conjugations, vocabulary words, and more. Where should you place these tools? Here are some ideas:
- On the bathroom mirror
- On the outside of the shower door
- On the inside of a car window
- On the refrigerator
- Etc.
Of course, more freedom of choice does not mean that children should be allowed to do whatever they want. To avoid conflicts, be sure to establish the rules about homework time flexibility in advance. To give you a bit of inspiration, here are some common ground rules:
- Choose a suitable location for whatever task you’re working on
- Respect the needs of other family members (e.g., avoid walking around the table if your siblings are there trying to work)
- Use the motivational timer to ensure your breaks aren’t too long
- Etc.
For more tips on how to arrange your child’s homework environment, read our article on the subject.
Writing : Catherine Couturier
Scientific review : Noémi Cantin, Professeure, département d’ergothérapie, UQTR
Rewriting : The Alloprof Parents' team
Havig, Jenna S., Advantages and disadvantages of flexible seating. [Mémoire]. North Dakota, Minot State University, 2017, 71 p.
Wannarka, Rachel & Ruhl, Kathy (2008).« Seating arrangements that promote positive academic and behavioural outcomes : a review of empirical research », Support for learning, 23(2), 2008, 89-93.