Do makerspace seats need chair backs?
Our position, and the posture / ergonomics counterpoint.
Our position
The back of a chair gets in the way when a kid leans forward to build, turns into a coat hook, and takes up space when the chair is pushed in. Backless stools slide under the table completely, flip to become step stools, and are half the price of a backed chair. Save the backed chairs for the reading corner.
Other voices
Reputable sources worth reading before you decide. Labels reflect our honest read of each source's general stance, not direct quotes.
Occupational therapist guidance
Nuanced / mixedOT guidance on child seating favors back support for sustained seated work. Makerspace work is not sustained seated work, so the guidance trade-off is different.
Accessibility advocates
Pushes backFor students with physical disabilities requiring back support, backed chairs are essential. Keep a few available for those students.