“As soon as parents and kids heard that the new semester would introduce reclining nap furniture, they couldn’t wait to see it in action. With this hardware upgrade, we’re determined to make the most of it—after all, we don’t want to let down these brand-new ‘nap神器’!” This summer break, Beitanghe Primary School rolled out a comprehensive plan alongside the new equipment: a robust support system and a detailed usage guide. By implementing “three key measures,” the school aims to optimize management and ensure smooth follow-through after equipping students with the reclining nap chairs—guaranteeing not only that kids “have a place to sleep,” “can fall asleep easily,” but also “sleep soundly and well.”

In Hangzhou's Binjiang District, 13 primary and secondary schools will soon introduce desks and chairs designed for students to lie down and rest during class. This isn’t just an experiment or innovation limited to a few schools—it represents a broader shift in how education spaces are reimagined to better support students' well-being and learning needs.

How should classroom desks and chairs be designed to support students in lying down comfortably during nap time? What features and standards should they meet? And how can schools implement this practice effectively? Moving forward, districts may look to Binjiang District as a model—currently, Binjiang is actively developing the "Zhejiang Manufacturing" group standard for "Primary and Secondary School Students' Noon Break Desks and Chairs," as well as the "Comfortable Lying-Down Management Guidelines for Primary and Secondary Students," aiming to establish a comprehensive "Comfortable Lying-Down" standard tailored to Zhejiang province.

Beitanghe Primary School Introduces Reclining Naps During Lunch Break

New desks and chairs have been installed in the classroom—simply activate the hidden feature, and they instantly transform into cozy "mini sleeper beds"!

These days, teachers at Hangzhou Beitanghe Primary School are busy decorating the classrooms—specifically arranging brand-new reclining desks and chairs.

"This summer vacation, all 16 classes across two grades at Hangzhou Beitanghe Primary School—comprising a total of 16 classrooms—completed the upgrade and replacement of their desks and chairs, introducing brand-new desks and chairs that can even be adjusted for lying down. Before finalizing the design, students in the front rows repeatedly tested by reclining their chair backs to ensure they wouldn’t bump into the desks behind them. After careful experimentation, they determined that the optimal distance between the two rows of desks was 80 centimeters—maximizing classroom space while still allowing students to comfortably lie down during breaks."

The recliner chair has a lift-up headrest.

From the outside, these desks and chairs don’t look much different from ordinary ones—but once you activate their hidden features, they instantly transform into a cozy "little bed" perfect for lounging or even napping. For instance, the top of the chair features a headrest that’s normally tucked away underneath, but can be easily pulled upward to provide essential neck support when needed. Meanwhile, the lower part of the chair conceals a foldable footrest, which slides out effortlessly to let you prop up your feet comfortably. And here’s the best part: simply press the levers on either side while gently leaning back, then give it a firm push—you’ll watch as the chair’s backrest smoothly reclines, allowing you to find your ideal angle for relaxing or drifting off to sleep.

A foldable footrest is hidden beneath the reclining chair.

Besides the chair being able to "transform," pressing the levers on either side of the desk allows you to lift the desk's sides, creating ample space for the chairs in the front row to lie down comfortably.

Xu Jiaoxiang, the school's vice principal, introduced that the reclining desks and chairs have now been fully installed. After repeated hands-on practice by teachers, they’ve developed a set of twelve-character instructions for folding and unfolding the desks, along with instructional slides breaking down each movement.

"On Monday, the school invited first-grade newcomers and second-grade students to give the new seating system a try. Though everyone was a beginner, they quickly picked it up under the teachers' guidance—and with everything done smoothly in less than a minute!"

Next, the school plans to teach first-grade students during their orientation camp, with lessons continuing after the second grade begins. By September 1, when school officially starts, all students across the campus will be able to enjoy the comfort of lying down and sleeping right in their classrooms.

The table can be tilted to allow for reclining and sleeping.

Arrange your routine with a scientific approach to time slots—ensuring you get enough sleep and sleep soundly.

The topic of whether students can lie down for their midday nap at school has been a hot concern among parents in recent years. As a brand-new school that’s only been operational for a year, Principal Xu has also been frequently asked about it by many parents.

“As soon as parents and kids heard that the new semester would introduce reclining nap furniture, they couldn’t wait to see it in action. With this hardware upgrade, we’re determined to make the most of it—after all, we don’t want to let down these brand-new ‘nap神器’!” This summer break, Beitanghe Primary School rolled out a comprehensive plan alongside the new equipment: a robust support system and a detailed usage guide. By implementing “three key measures,” the school aims to optimize management and ensure smooth follow-through after equipping students with the reclining nap chairs—guaranteeing not only that kids “have a place to sleep,” “can fall asleep easily,” but also “sleep soundly and well.”

To implement the practice of naptime lying down, Beitanghe Primary School has carefully divided the nap period into three distinct phases: From 12:10 to 12:20, it’s the "prelude to sleep," during which calming instrumental music plays softly in the classroom as students adjust their desks and chairs into reclining positions. From 12:20 to 12:50, it’s "deep, dream-filled relaxation"—the perfect time for children to enjoy their afternoon naps. Finally, from 12:50 to 12:55, a gentle "music wake-up call" gently rouses the students from their slumber. Afterward, kids neatly fold up their reclining desks and chairs, returning them to an upright position, and carefully tuck away their small blankets.

During initial observations and discussions with parents, teachers noticed that another challenge after lying down to sleep is falling asleep quickly—ensuring that this one-hour nap period is truly put to good use.

“We’ve also gathered plenty of helpful tips from teachers and parents to help children fall asleep quickly, such as playing soothing music or using aromatherapy. Some kids may struggle to sleep, but by creating a relaxing naptime atmosphere, they can easily close their eyes and rest—eventually turning it into a natural habit.”

Principal Xu stated that the introduction of reclining desks and chairs marks the adoption of the "Nap+" concept—a strategic adjustment to students' daily school rhythms. By providing nap loungers, fostering a tranquil environment, and incorporating creative nap-related ideas, the school ensures that students can recharge effectively, helping them approach afternoon learning activities with renewed energy while meeting their developmental needs. "Students will gain a deeper understanding of how elementary school days are divided into distinct time segments, gradually developing stronger self-management skills. They’ll learn to prioritize tasks based on personal needs and deadlines, enabling them to independently organize and wisely plan their daily schedules."

The Usage Guide Developed by Beitang River Primary School

7,500 sets of nap-time desks and chairs rolled out across the district; "Two Standards" currently under development.

Over the years, many schools have been experimenting with new approaches to naptime—some have introduced reclining sleep mats, while others have even tried setting up tents in the gymnasium. These creative solutions come in a variety of forms, all aimed at helping children get a better, more restful midday snooze.

The recently released "Several Measures by Zhejiang Province to Promote Large-Scale Equipment Upgrades and Consumer Product Trade-In Programs" also mentioned the implementation of a "midday nap and rest" initiative for primary and secondary schools.

In response, the Binjiang District Education Bureau has already conducted extensive research and comparisons. From sofa beds and tents to various types of floor mats, they found that introducing nap tables and chairs into classrooms offers significantly higher space utilization and efficiency compared to other options.

“There’s no need to scramble for venues—students can simply lie down and sleep right in the classroom once it’s set up. As for identifying the pilot schools, the Education Bureau put in considerable effort. They first measured the classroom spaces at every school across the district, then carefully selected four new schools and nine eligible existing schools to kick off the initiative. These include Hangzhou Beitanghe Primary School, Hangzhou Silicon Valley Primary School, Zhejiang Hangzhou Lakeside School, and Hangzhou Higher Education Park Primary School. Notably, the new schools already had a need to purchase new desks and chairs, while some older schools were chosen based on their specific circumstances—for instance, certain schools have smaller class sizes that make them ideal for this pilot program. Meanwhile, other schools were planning to replace their desks anyway, so they could be prioritized for this rollout as well.”

With the start of the new semester, the first batch of 7,500 reclining desks and chairs has already been delivered to schools. Taking into account the varying spatial conditions across different schools, personalized requests were also made to manufacturers. As a result, schools now have a choice of nine distinct models of reclining furniture, ensuring that "whole-class naptime" can truly be implemented.

"Products are continuously being iterated and upgraded. To ensure students can enjoy even better products and to maximize resource efficiency, the reclining desks and chairs will be rolled out across the district in phases. For instance, for schools with limited classroom space, we’ll next develop ergonomic chair designs that allow for a flatter, more compact recline—or even V-shaped models—to meet the demands of constrained environments. We’re currently aiming for full district-wide implementation by 2027."

The reclining desks and chairs for napping in the classroom have already been installed.

A set of reclining lounge chairs, thoughtfully designed with every detail in mind.

From setting standards for large items like desks and chairs, the Binjiang District Education Bureau invited experts from the Provincial Children's Hospital to provide professional insights on designs such as headrests and lumbar supports. Additionally, addressing concerns raised by teachers and parents about protecting students' eyesight, the desktops are made from materials that promote diffuse reflection. Even smaller details, like whether or not chairs should include armrests, were carefully considered—parents were invited to participate in discussions and try out prototypes, ensuring that arrangements cater to the specific needs of different grade levels and schools.

These explorations of lounge-style tables and chairs in Binjiang District will lead to the establishment of standards.

Currently, the "Zhejiang Manufacturing" group standard for "Primary and Secondary School Students' Midday Break Desks and Chairs," along with the "Guidelines for Comfortable Midday Rest Management in Primary and Secondary Schools—How to Manage Naps and Help Students Sleep Better," have already passed expert review and are set to be officially released soon. These initiatives will provide a replicable and scalable "comfortable lying-down sleep" model from Binjiang, serving as a benchmark for the entire province.