Convenient seating in any classroom is said to enhance the educational experience of pupils. But, of course, I’m fully conscious that there are advantages and disadvantages. Still, in my opinion, the advantages much exceed the disadvantages.
For those unfamiliar with the notion, versatility refers to any classroom design that is not a row of desks. Yoga balls, bean bag chairs, pillows and couches, and seating carpets and squares are the most popular non-traditional seating options.
Stools are also another alternative for flexible sitting. You will be offered some of the best kid stools for the classroom today.
7 Best Kid Stools for Classroom Reviewed In 2022
Stools are an excellent choice for a class with energetic students. Stools intended for students and teachers are more versatile than ever before, thanks to the educational drive for more sitting flexibility in the classroom.
Stools and their movement make classroom rooms more fluid and adaptive, allowing for more effective learning.
1. Topeakmart Round Stack Stools
Sturdiness and durability are its core features, it fits suitably in the classroom and does not take too much space
These sturdy nesting stools are simple to clean and maintain. Green, blue, red, white, and yellow is among the vivid colours available in a set of ten. Because the metal frame is anti-rust, you can wash them without worrying about them rusting. In addition, they have a 265-pound high-load capacity.
The tube is made of 16 gauge steel with a 0.9 x 0.05 inches diameter. The stool measures 12.2 x 12.2 x 17.3 inches in size. The seat has 1.2-inch diameter ventilation holes. Every two weeks, examine the screws that hold the seat in place and tighten them if necessary.
For classroom use, the stackable functionality is really useful. They can be stowed or moved to the side of the room without taking up too much space.
What We Like:
- Scratches on the floor are avoided thanks to secure foot caps.
- For sturdiness, the seat is attached to the frame using an X-frame.
- For added comfort, the seat edges are rounded.
What We Don’t Like:
- The stools should not be used by children.
- These brightly coloured seats are ideal for any elementary school class. Furthermore, they are inexpensive stools that fit beneath a normal table or desk and are comfy even when used for a long time.
2. ECR4Kids ACE Active Core Wobble Stool
ECR4Kids ACE is loved by children and teachers alike as it offers a flexible sitting position while aiding posture as well.
This is a wiggle stool developed exclusively for classrooms with flexible seating. It complies with or surpasses the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) and the American National Criteria Institute (ANSI) standards (ANSI). It measures 13 x 13 x 15 inches and weighs five pounds.
It has a 165-pound maximum weight. It has a non-slip seat and a non-slip rubber base that won’t scratch your floor. Students can rock and wriggle 360 degrees thanks to the rounded base. The textured seat also prevents children from slipping off when moving.
The frame is light and portable, making it easy to move around the space. This stool is ideal for fidgety kids and individuals with ADHD, ADD, or other special needs. In addition, GreenGuard Gold has been recognized as safe for minimizing chemical pollution.
What We Like:
- It’s ideal for use in STEM classrooms.
- The term “active core engagement” (ACE) refers to strengthening the core muscles.
- Aids in the improvement of posture.
- With a damp sponge and water, it’s easy to clean and maintain.
What We Don’t Like
- It’s possible that the top isn’t firmly fastened.
- When youngster wants to stand up, they do not slide in and out.
3. ECR4Kids Lil’ Sprout Stool
Fits for both indoors and outdoors use. It is also easy to clean which makes it a perfect fit for a children ‘s classroom.
Thinking of indoor and outdoor use/ then this stool is for you. A storage shelf behind the seat may be used as both a side table and a stool. It’s made of heavy-duty resin plastic that won’t fade, fracture, chip, or peel and comes in bright yellow, blue, and green colours.
The stool is simple to clean with soap and warm water and may be used for a long. In a classroom, the appealing hourglass contemporary style will look fantastic. Even with the wiggliest child, it is robust and won’t tip over.
The weight is 5.7 pounds, and the measurements are 14.4 x 14.4 x 15.3 inches. Therefore, the maximum weight is 200 pounds. Outside, the kid chairs can be utilized in a sandbox or simply as a place for kids and teachers to sit on the playground.
What We Like:
- Books or toys can be stored on this shelf.
- Useful both inside and outside.
- The hourglass pattern is appealing.
What We Don’t Like:
- The amount of storage space available is limited.
- The storage area isn’t level.
4. Norwood Mobile Stack Stool
This is a top-notch stool with its playful, colourful, nice design. Its mobility feature makes it the go-to stool for kids.
This stool is 11.75 x 11.75 x 17 inches and weighs 20 pounds. It’s also available in a 12-inch version for kindergarten or first-grade students. The stacking stool bundle includes one red, one blue, one green, and one purple stool. Because single goods are not available, you must purchase the bundle.
It is mobile thanks to the casters. At one moment, a student can spin the entire stack. Norwood Commercial Furniture is the manufacturer of the stools. The stools’ long-term durability is a point of contention.
This concept, I believe, is better suited to older children who are less likely to mistreat it as harshly as smaller children may.
On a tile or wood floor, it looks much better. The rolling wheels are a unique feature that makes it easier to manoeuvre on a non-carpeted surface because 20 pounds is heavy for small children to handle.
What We Like:
- Expandable for simple storage and space savings.
- For durability, there is a metal ring under the seat.
- Warm water and detergent can be used to clean the seat.
What We Don’t Like:
- Long periods of sitting are difficult to bear.
- The plastic seat may dislodge and need to be replaced.
5. KidsErgo Ergonomic Stool
Nothing beats a good, nice stool that allows wriggling, encourages good posture and offers comfortability to those sitting on it.
This stool enables wriggling and encourages good posture, and strengthens the core. Moreover, it involves the vestibular and proprioceptive systems, which is beneficial for growing youngsters.
It’s preferred over the exercise ball because it’s more stable, with less possibility of the youngster rolling off during routine classroom activities. In addition, it happens to be fun to use.
It is created following the principles of Universal Design for Learning. As a result, the Good Design Award, the Mind Spring Academics Choice Award, and the Edison Award for Design have all been given to the stool. It’s a turning point in your classroom because of its shape and colours.
The KidsErgo is 15 inches tall and weighs 4.7 pounds, but there is also a 20.5-inch-high version for adults. The KidsErgo has a 170-pound weight capacity. With a seat width of 20.5 inches, this stool is more spacious than others.
What We Like:
- Reliable enough to withstand the continual movement.
- Aids in concentration.
- Allows children to wiggle comfortably during lessons.
What We Don’t Like:
- It has occasionally collapsed and released air.
- Always keep your weight within the specified range.
6. Commercial Furniture Stack Stool
Beautiful, playful, comes in varieties of colours, offers great support for kids and also helps with posture as kids sit on it.
This is an extremely light stool that is simple to clean and transport. Even when piled, the hole in the middle of the seat makes it easy to pick up.
When used outside, they contain an ultraviolet (UV) protection coating that prevents fading. Different colours like red, green, purple, and one blue stool are included in the set of four.
220 pounds is the maximum weight capacity. The hole in the centre is a first for this list, and it makes moving these light stools a breeze.
What We Like:
- Students enjoy their seats, according to several professors.
What We Don’t Like:
- This isn’t a disadvantage, but these are just regular stools with no added benefits.
7. ECR4Kids Wooden Sit or Step Stool
Not like the average design but a great choice nonetheless, this stool is sturdy and would last for a very long while.
The cut-out handles on this lovely wooden stool make it easy to carry while transporting it from room to room. It features a useful shelf under the seat for holding books and toys that is level and will hold the things even if you move them around.
The stool is 15 x 15.3 x 13.2 inches and weighs 11 pounds. The seat is 13 inches wide when assembled. This is a stepping stool primarily intended for children to use to reach higher levels. It’s also quite relaxing to sit in.
Suppose you have a rug that allows for flexible seating. In that case, this could be a nice stool for kids to use while listening to audiobooks or learning a new language.
What We Like
- The solid wood appears to be high-end rather than low-cost.
- The top is capable of standing on for an adult.
What We Don’t Like
- Because there are no rubber grips on the feet, it is prone to slide.
- Doesn’t really allow for wriggling
The Benefits of using Stools in the Classroom
Stools are part of a new drive in school to get students up and moving more than they did previously. When classrooms were controlled by orderly rows of desks, each with a simple, stiff four-legged chair behind it, it was difficult to move around without a lot of work in reorganizing desks and chairs, thus sturdy, rigid chairs that firmly faced the front of the class made more sense.
According to research, alternative seating patterns and “freeing up” the classroom to better allow children to walk around result in Higher Academic Performance.
- Core strength and posture have improved.
- Improved social participation and behaviour.
- Reduced agitation.
- Calorie burn and metabolic rate have increased.
- Also, pay attention and focus for extended periods.
These are undeniably significant benefits worth the school’s time and effort.
As a result of this tendency, stools are becoming more common in classrooms. Stools give students in the classroom more flexibility when it comes to seating; they can turn around more quickly and transfer their chairs about the room more simply. Stools also take up less room in the classroom, allowing teachers to be more artistic with what they have.
Stools, above all, encourage students and teachers to stand up and move around. According to research, we are too passive and dependent on sitting throughout our education and working lives.
Therefore, developing positive habits, such as standing up and walking about, working while standing (maybe considering standing desks for the school), and so on, from a young age is a fantastic method to foster healthy habits.
Conclusion
Children enjoy moving from the minute they stand up and take their first steps. A growing child expends more energy sitting motionless than it does moving around.
As an elementary teacher can tell you, sitting still makes kids tired and bored. This is one of the key reasons why flexible seating has become the preferred classroom arrangement.
Many studies have demonstrated that offering seating that allows for flexibility in the educational environment encourages students and teachers to pay attention and be more productive.
Each of the products chosen is long-lasting and designed to provide adaptable seating in various settings, from pre-kindergarten through senior year of high school.