Kindergartner Morgan Kaping’s chair got away from her. After leaving the table to grab something on the other side of the classroom, Kaping returned to find her seat slowly rolling toward the door.

That’s the problem when your chair is a 22-inch rubber ball.

The School of St. Philip in Litchfield is joining a growing number of Minnesota schools that are replacing standard classroom chairs with colorful stability balls.

The balls are believed to improve concentration, burn off excess energy and keep students physically fit.

The idea of the balls, which have been used for years for exercise and physical therapy, is to allow students to move freely by wiggling, squirming or occasional bouncing, thus releasing pent up energy in the process. Researchers have found that the movement can help keep the brain “awake” and allow students to be more focused and attentive.

St. Philip’s kindergarten teacher Barb Erickson said she’s seen a decrease in student fidgeting since adjusting to the balls. Students seem to pester their neighbors less and are more attentive to the task at hand.

“It sort of gives them an outlet so they can move and wiggle in a more constructive way,” principal Diana McCarney said.

Read more in May 15 Independent Review.