You’d be forgiven for thinking that bean bag seating doesn’t really suit learning environments and could be a bit of an unnecessary luxury. After all, aren’t bean bags something for teenagers to slouch on in their bedroom? Quite the opposite … Bean bags have been enjoying a growing popularity in education settings in recent years, with many professionals in the sector recognising their benefits – from Early Years to higher education.

So, how can bean bag seating enhance your learning environment?

Practical seating with great ergonomics

There was a time when sitting comfortably in a classroom environment could only be achieved by sitting upright on a chair, and any other type of seating would have been considered a big no-no. It’s true that most classroom chairs nowadays are designed with posture in mind, and no school would invest in any seating solution that wasn’t fit for purpose. The good news is, bean bag seating too has seen significant product development, and the ranges now sold for use in education are filled with polystyrene beads which will naturally mould to the shape of the body (something a chair wouldn’t do!), providing the right level of comfort and support. Bean bags are also no longer limited to their basic round shape; so, if you’re looking for something that’s more supportive, in particular for prolonged use such as reading, a back-friendly bean chair combines relaxed styling and ergonomic features. You should also know that, like classroom chairs, bean bags come is sizes to suit different age groups, from toddlers to adults.

Bean bag seating specifically intended for the education sector meets the safety, quality and durability requirements to withstand the demands of the busiest learning environments – from reinforced seams to double zips or hardwearing, easy-clean fabrics, all aimed at ensuring long term use with minimal maintenance. When it comes to tidy up or cleaning time, bean bags certainly are a practical choice for education as they are lightweight and some designs are even stackable.

A boost for engagement and concentration

With their inviting, soft design, attention-grabbing colours or themed photographic prints, bean bags are guaranteed to be an instant hit with children of all ages and young adults, adding a real wow factor to any classroom, library or break-out space … but is there more to be expected?

Although traditional structured seating remains the top choice in classrooms, there is a lot to be said for shifting children’s focus away from having to sit firmly on a chair without wriggling. Research into the benefits of a more flexible seating provision such as bean bags in learning environments may be scarce, however there seems to be sufficient evidence that children engage better with some activities when given the option of more relaxed seating. Think reading: it’s unlikely that anybody – child or adult – will find themselves fully immersed into that latest read whilst propped up stiffly on a chair. The same goes for circle time or small group activities where more informal seating allows for a less rigid approach to the activity itself.

Bean bag seating and portable devices go hand in hand too, again as there is no need for a chair and desk set up, and sitting comfortably on a supportive bean bag chair with a tablet or laptop encourages independent learning and maximum engagement.

A must-have for flexible learning spaces

Much has been said in recent years about growing class sizes, the pressure being put on space within education premises, and the resulting need for more flexible, versatile learning spaces. When space is at a premium, you want to get as much use as possible out of every bit of indoor – and outdoor – space.

Indoors, bean bags work brilliantly for permanent or “pop-up” spaces in classrooms, libraries, ICT suites or communal areas. Because they are so versatile and portable, they can be moved from space to space, repositioned or put away safely and easily. So, you could add 3 or 4 bean bags or cubes in a corner of a classroom for children to sit and read or relax if they have finished their work before the rest of the class, create a chilled-out reading zone within your library, offer a cosy den-style area at an after-school club or set up an informal collaborative learning area for secondary or college students: the possibilities are endless!

The water-resistant fabric most school bean bags are made from means that you can take your learning outdoor without worrying about damaging them, giving you not only extra space but also the opportunity to harness the benefits of learning outside the classroom on attainment and wellbeing. Plus, if your school grounds are more of a concrete jungle than a nature haven, why not bring a sense of adventure with woodland-inspired bean bag tree stumps or countryside-themed hay bales?

Supporting SEN and inclusive learning

Unlike other types of seating which often do not cater for SEND learners’ needs for fiddling, cocooning or sensory stimulation, bean bags offer many options of inclusive designs, enabling them to become integral to a school’s SEND provision.

Bean bags in general induce a more relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, which facilitates conversations about feelings, emotions and behaviour, be it in group or one-to-one sessions. More specialist products with tactile tags for fidgeting hands, soft, reassuring textures, glow-in-the-dark ultraviolet printed finishes or contoured, supportive, “safe space” shapes are also available to meet specific sensory needs and help children of all ages and abilities thrive.

So, it’s clear that bean bag seating in all its different forms, including cubes, chairs or floor cushions, genuinely enhances learning environments, and high quality products such as the Eden Learning Spaces range will stand the test of time.