SAMMAMISH REVIEW
October 28, 2009 •
Photo by Christopher Huber
The exercise balls allow students to move around, a little, and remain at their seats.
Seats Continued from Page 16
The idea stems in part from research conducted by John Kilbourne, a professor of movement sciences at Grand Valley State University, in Allendale, Mich. He found his own students paid more attention and were more engaged in class discussions when using the stability
balls. “We did not evolve to sit at chairs all day at school. We’re movement beings. We need to move,” Kilbourne said. “I know a lot of elementary teachers who are incorporating them into their classrooms.” There could be some discrepancies, since elementary schoolers’ bodies are different from college-age ones. Some exercise scientists warn there may be the potential to develop posture problems.
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But, Sally Westcott McCoy, an associate professor of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Washington, said bad posture could come from numerous other habits outside of sitting on stability balls for long periods. “It depends on the individual
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and the other things they do in During many activities, like their lives,” she said. “Staying in reading, Brown and Hart give stuany position for a long period of dents the option to sit in the comtime is probably not the best fortable chairs in the corner or on idea.” the floor. The option to use the balls Since introducing these stumay help children avoid probdents to the stability balls Oct. 19, lems with bad posture, McCoy Brown said they seem to prefer said. staying at their desks. In the end, McCoy said there It used to be a novelty to their needs to be more research on the students, but this year, the firstbudding national trend. graders seem to treat the balls as After the first few days in use their real chairs, the two teachers at Carson, the plan seems to be said. working, “I like usual“They’re bouncing, but ly sitting on according to teachers and they’re still focused on here,” first-gradadministrators. er Ben Wiljanen work.” During a said, gesturing – Mary Cronin, recent class, to the exercise some children ball. “Because I Principal – rolled in place can’t bounce on as their hands the regular and arms anchored them to the chairs.” table. Some sat straight and upright as they pondered the Reporter Christopher Huber can next sentence. be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or “They’re bouncing, but they’re chuber@isspress.com. Comment on still focused on work,” said Mary this story at www.sammamishreCronin, Carson’s principal. view.com.
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