THE SKOLEPROJEKTET SCHOOL PROJECT
Here you go We want to start out by saying; “here you go”, but we could also just choose to say:
“HOW HARD CAN IT BE?” We are completely sure that it is a great starting point, when a school, a company and a children’s physiotherapist choose to join forces with one purpose: implementing a motoric initiative. An initiative which makes it easier for the children to develop their motor skills, and that has a positive effect on the teaching environment, because the children can stay seated longer and concentrate about a given task. There are fewer disturbances in the classroom, and the teachers can look forward to a small change, which makes a huge difference.
A DOMINO EFFECT IN THE WORD’ MOST POSITIVE SENSE - A WIN-WIN-WIN SITUATION ON MOVEMENT, LEARNING AND WORK ENVIRONMENT.
Welcome Welcome to the “Skolen Ved Sundet School Project”. A project, where the company, bObles, and childrens’ physiotherapist, Louise Hærvig, have achieved such good results, that we simply have to, and want to share our knowledge. The School Project is primarily based on a desire to make a difference for the child, but it is also based on knowledge, experience and belief.
It is our belief that children with a high level of body awareness use far less resources on their bodies, when they start in school. It makes it easier to take part in social relations, obtain knowledge and learning, and in general get the best start in shcool life. Several studies and books about children and their motor skill development support our belief. It is fantastic, that what the eyes see, and the heart feel, is consistent with the fact, that children who are confident in their bodily abilities, are those who are able to say;
“Ready, set, school start”
This is what we did Together we made a school project with the following purpose: To find out whether school children at the age of 5-7 years can benefit from a 26-weeks intervention where their normal class room chairs are replaced with the bObles Worm (tumbling furniture with a tilting function, which can be elevated by adding a smaller piece of tumbling furniture). The ambition was to increase the children’s body awareness, truncus stability and sitting balance. Furthermore we examined the teachers’ reaction to the change in the class room
Facts:
The project focused on children in two kindergarten classes, which all had their motor skills tested before the project started. The two classes were divided into a test class and a comparison class. After 26 weeks the children would be tested again. 54 children participated in The School Project. The test that was used for The School Project is Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2). MABC-2 gives objective and quantitative data about children’s motor skill capabilities It consists of 8 subtests, which examined the fine motor skills, the ability to play with a ball, and the dynamic balance.
Replaced the chairs with bObles Worm
Result The + + +
test class has improved significantly within: 2 fine motor skill tasks 1 ball play task og 1 balance task
The teachers’ answers to the evaluation form are coincide, because:
The teachers are experiencing
to a very high degree: + that the furniture encourages a greater variation of the children’s seating position. To a high degree: + that the children could stay concentrated about a task + that children could stay seated for a longer time + that there are less disturbances in the classroom They have become attentive to: + implement movement in the teaching environment + the children’s ability to concentrate improve when they are sitting on a movable furniture, such as the bObles Worm.
The reason for these fine improvements is most probably connected to the increased body awareness, trunk stability and sitting balance amungst the children who have been sitting on bObles worm in many different ways. We are tempted to say; “how hard can it be?”, when we see these results. Simply by replacing the normal classroom chairs with the bObles Worm, the project has made a positive difference for the children, the teachers and the teaching environment in just 26 weeks. THIS INITIATIVE FORMED A BASIS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL RELATIONS AND LEARNING, WHICH IS WHAT THE GOOD SCHOOL LIFE IS ALL ABOUT.
Get started First and foremost a decision needs to be made, which will make a difference for the child, the teachers and the teaching environment. We have made an implementation, which requires a minimum, however, we still want you to be aware of following conditions:
o HAPPY MOVEMENT IN CLASS
The bObles Worm needs to be a ‘furniture friend’, that the children know well. Use the first week to explore all of its functions.
o SIT QUIETLY IS NO LONGER THE RULE
The main purpose of the project is that children are allowed to move while they sit and give their bodies the stimulation they need without disturbing the rest of the class.
o SIT ON THE BOBLES WORM YOURSELF
As a teacher you benefit from sitting on bObles Worm. By doing this you know what the children are experiencing, and you will probably also find that your body is being fully stimulated by moving while you are sitting.
o ONE WORM - MANY FUNCTIONS
In the class rooms where tables are low, bObles Worm can be used both vertically and horizontally. The Worm is also mobile and easy for the children to carry with them, if they need it in another room.
o FEEL SEASICK
The first week will be characterized by a wavy feel in the classroom, which has an impact on the visual impression and the vestibular sense. It takes a little time to get used to it, but it will pass.
o BE AWARE
Some children can have difficulties sitting on the Worm, but they just need a little time. It is okay to fall off the Worm to begin with, however, if it continues to be difficult and unpleasant, it could be a sign that the child has unstable motor skills, and that needs to be taken seriously.
o WORM WASH
After a while the Worm may need a wash. It requires a cloth, some water and a little mild soap. Get the whole class started - in that way they will feel ownership and responsibility for their Worm. And the best part is that the children’s motor skills will be stimulated, because everything the body does is developing the motor skills.
Partners: Children’s physiotherapist “It has been the greatest joy to work with a project that accommodates children’s need for movement, especially in the class room - because that is something I believe in! Being in movement on the bObles Worm is a simple and straightforward solution that I really hope other children and their teachers can benefit from, and thereby form a basis for a good teaching environment.” - Children’s physiotherapist, Louise Hærvig
Skolen Ved Sundet (The School) “The most important knowledge about bObles Worm is that it includes all children. They are not told constantly to sit quietly. We know that children naturally have a need for movement, and we know that children need stimulation in order to learn. By sitting on the Worm the children are automatically stimulated.” - Vice principal, Annette Vistesen
bObles
“The best part of this project is that children get to move and get awareness of what their bodies want and are capable of.I believe that with body awareness, children learn better, they function better in social relations and are more confident. The best position is always the next one.” - Founder, Bolette Blædel
Worm’s size with a small Fish:
Worm’s size:
h=40cm D=30cm
h=52cm D=30cm
For more information about school projects, please contact: bObles
Nyrnberggade 21, 1. 2300 Copenhagen S E-mail: bobles@bobles.dk Tel: + 4533151040 www.bobles.com