The Student Experience: How Soft Seating Supported One Third Grader's Needs

With Regional Director Dave Diller

Recently, I visited an elementary school just outside of Sacramento, specifically a third-grade classroom that had just received updated furniture. Along with the Fōmcore pieces, there was other flexible furniture—desks and chairs—all highly modular and easily movable within the space. I was there to observe and see how the furniture supported the students.

The kids were quietly working. Some were in pairs, others in groups of three or four. A few were working by themselves. The teacher was moving around the space from student to student or group to group and helping out as needed.

The atmosphere had this quiet, engaged hum happening around the classroom space. You could tell that students were engaged.

As I was taking this all in, I noticed there was this little boy just off to my left side who was sitting there working by himself. As I watched him work, it became clear he was growing frustrated. His face started turning red and tears began to roll down his cheeks. Abruptly, he quickly closed his book and buried his head in his hands as the tears flowed.

The teacher, while moving around the classroom, took notice and came over to the student. As she approached, she placed her hand on his back, leaned down next to him, and spoke softly. While wiping his eyes, he nodded. She patted his back and continued moving throughout the classroom, working with other students.

The third-grade boy took a moment, got up, and, while still wiping his tears, walked over to another area in the classroom—a small nook with a soft rocking ottoman and a table. He pulled down a blue bin, sat on the ottoman, and began working with Legos.

He worked with those Legos at a busy but steady pace, constructing something with focus. While he worked and rocked on the ottoman, the tears began to dry up and his soft complexion started to return.

As I stood there, having witnessed what unfolded, I was struck by how beautifully human this moment was. A young learner, overwhelmed in a moment, was given the permission to exert their agency in such a way that they could self-regulate and become whole. This student was seen by their teacher, validated, and empowered.

In reflecting further, there are a few things that need to be in harmony in order for this kind of experience to unfold.

Most importantly, it requires an educator who curates a culture where this kind of expression is viewed as normal and healthy. Not one of the other students in the class raised their hand or shouted out loud, “Why does so-and-so get to go play with Legos while I have to study? This isn’t fair”. Everyone in the class knew their peer wasn’t ‘playing’ but, instead, was doing exactly what they needed to do to regulate themselves and reconnect with the larger class.

This teacher had created a space where empathy is a lens to view one another.

Further, the teacher skillfully used the tools in the classroom (soft flexible seating, Legos, etc.) to serve the student’s need and reach a positive outcome. The furniture was there to “set the stage” and to help create the conditions where healthy learning can take place.

My experience in the 3rd grade classroom that day is just a small snapshot of the kind of humanity that takes place everyday in classrooms across the country. In response, may we commit to designing classroom environments that facilitate learning through nurturing students' emotional well-being. May we embrace compassionate spaces that empower children to navigate their challenges and rediscover their focus that they might grow and thrive. And may we exercise whatever resources we have to support the educators and students who are doing the good, human work of connection, discovery and growth.

Dave serves as Fōmcore’s Regional Director for the West, collaborating with regional partners and educators to explore how spatial design impacts student engagement and outcomes.  His background spans education, including special education teaching for EI students, and pastoral care, with experience in local church and hospital chaplaincy.  This diverse background reflects his passion for helping people integrate life’s experience in ways that promote wholeness and affirm their agency.  Dave holds a MDiv from North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago; he and his wife Misty have been married for 25 years, have 3 young-adult children and live in Southern California.  Dave’s interests include running, painting, music and surfing.

To connect with Dave or our other Regional Directors, please visit https://fomcore.com/contact-us.