One Millsboro school is using flexible seating to help students learn

From laying on the floor to rocking on a stool.

These are some of the flexible seating options scattered throughout the classroom at East Millsboro Elementary that are actually helping students learn.

Flexible seating is getting rid of the traditional classroom of sitting in chairs and desks; giving children other options.

East Millsboro Elementary's fourth grade teacher, Wendy Joseph, has been doing research on the concept of flexible seating.

"We have cushions to sit on the floor with a lower table, we have beach chairs, we have lap desk that they can use if they lay on the ground," Joseph says.

Joseph tells us she's had some sort of flexible seating in her classroom in the past year but this year, she finally decided to add more options to her classroom.

Stepping out of the box of traditional seating, Joseph tells 47 ABC, she has seen positive results.

"Flexible seating is basically getting rid of the traditional classroom of kids sitting in chairs and desks and giving them other options. We have cushions to sit on the floor with a lower table, we have beach chairs, we have lap desk that they can use if they lay on the ground."

Some 4th graders even said the idea sits well with them.

Brady Cunnane says, "I think it's more fun because you can like, you get to sit more places, and it's based on what you, makes you learn better, so I like it."

And Kamryn Davis also says, "When you're just kind of laying on the ground, you can chillax and I think it helps me work better."

Flexible seating can even be a way to release some energy. Beyond that, it actually lets students take pride in their learning and being independent and responsible for their own learning.

Recently, the 4th grade teacher received a grant to add more to her flexible seating arrangements.

She hopes to add more standing desks, cushions and lower tables to sit on the ground.