One of the most important aspects of the job of school administrators is to foster a comfortable and healthy learning environment for their students, and school presidents play an important role in determining this. School furniture has a significant presence in the daily life of students since it is where they spend most of their day while attending school. Research shows that teens ages 13-18 spend about 78% of their time sitting, so providing them with maximum comfort is critical to fostering learning and educational development. Unfortunately, furniture is something that is often overlooked when deciding where to spend your budget and often results in buying cheap or used chairs that fall apart within a year. By fully understanding the benefits of purchasing ergonomic school chairs, administrators can provide a positive learning environment for their students.
Beginning in first grade, young children are expected to sit and focus for long periods of time. With the number of distractions available at that young age coupled with a sometimes shorter attention span and constant fidgeting, ensuring maximum comfort should be the number one priority. Children who have comfortable school chairs to sit in while learning have been shown to have a longer attention span, a greater desire to learn, the ability to focus for longer periods of time, and feel more comfortable in school. Along with increased concentration, children will also be less likely to experience aches and pains that can occur from sitting in a cheap chair that offers no support. The cheaper the chair, the less support it will have and the number of adjustments available to accommodate children of different sizes will be minimal. The last thing parents want for their children is to come home from a day at school and complain of back pain from sitting in a poor quality chair.
There are many different types of school chairs available for buyers to choose from and each has its own distinctive qualities. The most common type of chairs found in elementary schools are plastic chairs, which are more comfortable than wooden chairs and are also much easier to clean in case of spills. They are less expensive than their wooden counterparts, however they are also less durable and more prone to breaking. Wooden chairs are another option for classroom seating. They are durable and give the classroom a classic look. They are more expensive than plastic or hard plastic chairs, so most schools opt for the least expensive option.
In addition to the material the chair is constructed of, different leg options are also available. The most classic option is a standard four-legged chair base, the most practical option for schools that will be using the chairs on hardwood floors. The four legs are generally constructed of strong tubular steel and covered with smooth glides that prevent the chairs from scratching the floor surface when moved and keep the chair stable. A sleigh base is another option available and it looks just as it sounds, like a sleigh with a chair attached to the top. The chair is supported on each side by a base that resembles a sled. This type of school chair does not move easily on hard floors, but it glides smoothly and easily on carpeted surfaces. The third base option for school chairs is a chair with a base and wheels. This chair is similar to a chair you might find in an office, but generally comes with fewer adjustments and allows students to move and turn with ease. These chairs are recommended for older children’s computer labs in middle or high school.
School chairs come in a variety of colors and can be easily mixed and matched to represent school colors or just brighten up the overall learning environment. Black, navy blue, and burgundy are among the most sought after colors; however, brighter primary colors are starting to find their way into more schools with their ability to transform any room from dull to fun.
When looking for school furniture it is important to take into account the price, quality and comfort that it will provide to students. When you are on a strict budget, it is essential to take into account how long the chair will last and if it may be worth the investment to buy a chair that is a bit more expensive but will also last for many years. With school chairs, the price is usually a good indication of what the quality of the chair will be. If the chair is cheap, you can also bet that it won’t be ergonomically correct either and won’t provide adequate support for your students. School chairs can be found through Internet providers and retail stores. For an easy and smooth transaction, internet retailers are recommended as you can choose what you want from the comfort of your office and have it delivered right to your location.
