Back to school is fast approaching and it's the perfect time to optimize your learning spaces so every student has the tools they need to succeed! The key to creating a space that meets the needs of a diverse set of students is flexibility. But just like your students, this can be a little complicated! 

When it comes to learning environment design, we already know one size does not fit all. To accommodate the sensory needs of different users, flexible furniture has been the industry-wide solution. Over the years, a wealth of information on the importance of student-centered design has been at the core of 21^st-century learning. However, the key question arises:

Are we making the right choices for a flexible classroom?

Flexibility in furniture isn't just about offering options; it's about offering the right options. At MooreCo, our commitment to student-centered design has led us to collaborate with experts across various fields, including neuroscience, psychology, physical therapy, and social-emotional development. Through these collaborations, we've embarked on a journey called Thrive, to redefine the paradigm of furniture on learning spaces.

Dr. Lisa Harris and Dr. Amy Rohsner, from Healthworks Ergonomics, helped our team analyze both the physiological aspect of furniture design as well as the sensory response to it. There is a profound link between posture, breathing, and blood circulation to emotional well-being, anxiety, and stress. How students respond, engage, or withdrawal from stimuli deeply affects their cognitive development, concentration, self-esteem, and sense of inclusion. Dr. Harris & Dr. Rohsner categorize students’ sensory response to the environment into four groups: seekers, bystanders, avoiders, and sensitive.

How to create a flexible classroom for different sensory needs

Our designers took the information we learned from industry experts and created furniture solutions tailored to the sensory needs of your students. Start the year with a clean slate and a fresh approach to active learning!

Some of these products ship in just 2-10 days! Browse our QuickShip brochure for details.

Seekers are more engaged in sensory learning, seek stimulation, and easily grow bored. The pneumatic, height-adjustable Hierarchy Grow Stool® provides ideal support, promoting proper posture and stimulating core muscles for improved circulation and focus. Its swiveling, wobble motion soothes seekers and enhances alertness akin to a fidget spinner for the body and mind. Opt for height-adjustable solutions as, fixed-height wobble stools pose issues for taller students, potentially leading to posture problems and overstimulation. Bonus! They ship in only 2 days!

Bystanders are passive, miss sensory cues, and don’t need a lot of physical action. Misunderstood as disconnected and clumsy, they are comfortable in any environment. Bystanders typically need to be motivated to move. Tablet chairs are ideal, as it invites full body motion to participate and connect with others.

Sit-to-stand desks and tables like the Height Adjustable Flipper Tables with Hierarchy 4-Leg Stools get students on their feet. Plus, they'll experience other benefits of sit-to-stand workstations such as better circulation and increased focus and productivity. MooreCo offers several desks and tables with standing height legs, including the Hierarchy Activity Table + Porcelain Steel Top and the Hierarchy Wavy Rectangle Table + Porcelain Steel Top, both ship in only 2 days as part of our QuickShip program!

Avoiders are more likely to retreat from unfamiliar or overstimulating situations. They prefer sitting away from others as much as possible and remove themselves from surrounding stimuli. Unlike swivel stools, Soft Sway Rocking Chairs provide back support offers a steady, soothing full-body motion. Soft seating pieces with or without motion create communal setups that help avoiders engage with others. We've added soft seating to this year's extensive QuickShip program! Browse items that ship in 10 days or less!

Sensitives are hyper aware of every sound, smell, and sight in their environment and it all affects how they respond. Without the right tools, sensitives withdraw and become rigid and uncooperative. Because sensitives react very quickly to stimulus, rhythm and repetition can engage them. Soft seating pieces with motion and textured fabrics that can be touched and stroked such as Beanies by MooreCo help calm this easily stimulated mind. MooreCo Privacy Pods shield sound and light while allowing student to be present and participate with their peers.

Top 5 Things to Consider for a Truly Flexible Classroom

We've taken the guesswork out of creating a dynamic, highly-functional, flexible learning environment and we can get the products to you before back to school! Browse our QuickShip program for more information about products that ship in 2-10 days!

Creating a truly flexible, 21st-century classroom only requires a few essential products. MooreCo specializes in crafting high-quality products that ship quickly so you can transform your classroom in no time! We've outlined 5 qualities to look for when transitioning to a flexible learning environment and they all ship to you before back to school! 

Portable, mobile furniture solutions 

Teachers need desks and chairs that move quickly and easily in order to accommodate a variety of activities and learning styles. MooreCo desks and tables come in a wide range of shapes that seamlessly unite in unique ways to create pairs, groups, or pods. Most desks and tables can be upgraded to a porcelain steel top to give students a durable surface to take notes, doodle, and share ideas.

Love this idea but think you don't have the time to rework your space before August? Hierarchy Shapes Desks + Porcelain Steel Tops ship in just 2 days! 

Do you prefer a sleek look? Our Hierarchy Shapes Desk or Hierarchy Rectangle Desk with seamless, matching edge bands in Fusion Maple or Grey Elm laminates ship in just 5 days. Add the sturdy, ergonomic Hierarchy 4-Leg Chairs that ship in just 5 days!

Complete your adaptable space with custom Compass Cabinets. Choose from 3 heights and widths; cubbies, shelves, drawers, or a combination. Your custom storage solution ships in just 10 days!

Inclusive products for flex spaces

The benefits of dynamic brainstorming and active collaboration are endless. Employers are looking for talented employees who have sharp communication skills and know how to work with a team. Flex spaces filled with adaptable, versatile furnishings create ideal environments where students can learn to work together and sharpen soft skills.

Visionary Move Mobile Magnetic Glass Boards ship in just 2 days and provide ample space to brainstorm, share ideas, and work out problems. Secure notes and papers directly to the surface with strong earth magnets.

Add a MoorePower® Tower and keep your students charged and connected no matter where they find their ideal workspace. Height adjustable Hierarchy Activity Horseshoe Tables give students the option and benefit of working while sitting or standing.

Sleek Community Tables come in three heights and can can be paired with benches, chairs, or stools, depending on your space needs. 

The perfect addition to any flex space are stackable Akt Wire Base Chairs. Stack 20 high on the floor or 40 with an Akt Stacking Cart to keep chairs tucked away until you need them. 

Plenty of seating options 

When students are physically and emotionally supported they are more focused and productive. It's not just the size and shape of a body that factors into ergonomic comfort. Some students need to sit, stand, or perch. Some like to work alone and others like to collaborate with neighbors. Some need to let energy out with wobble or sway movements. Some like to lounge and others like the support of a traditional chair.

Whatever their needs, offering a variety of seating options gives students the best opportunity to find the spot where they are most productive.

MooreCo launched a QuickShip program unlike anyone else in the industry this year. We have a selection of comfortable, ergonomic soft seating in a variety of colors that ship in just 10 days! Reap the benefits soft seating adds to an active, flexible learning environment this fall!

Adjustable desks and chairs 

Feet need to touch the ground or other firm surface and students should never slouch in order to access their materials. Adjustable desks and chairs are essential for creating a flexible environment that can be easily changed to meet the needs of all students.

Hierarchy Grow Stools® offer a wiggle and wobble motion to help keep students focused and they quickly adjust for any height. Height Adjustable Flipper Tables perform double-duty for a flexible classroom. They height adjust for a diverse set of users and the tops fold down. Bank and store the tables to create a large open space and pull them when needed.  

Proper spaces for teachers

The final piece to the flexible classroom puzzle is a proper teacher workstation. Teachers need ample space to plan activities and lessons and meet with students one-on-one. Adding mobility allows teachers to go where they are needed and rearrange the space depending on their lessons, creating a completely flexible, adaptable environment. 

Compass Teacher Workstations can be customized to fit the unique needs of your teachers. Add a single cabinet or double cabinets with cubbies, shelves, or drawers, opt for sitting or standing workstation, add locking doors for added security, and upgrade to a stunning butcher block top. Whatever your classroom needs are, a Compass Teacher Workstation can fit those needs.

Create Your Flexible Classroom Before Back to School

Now you know what qualities to look for when outfitting your 21st-century, flexible classroom. But truly flexible spaces don't just offer options, they offer the right options. We've taken the guesswork out of creating a dynamic, highly-functional, flexible learning environment and we can get the products to you before back to school! Browse our QuickShip program for more information about products that ship in 2-10 days!