Thinking about adding fidget toys to your classroom? Here are some things to consider first.
What are Fidget Toys?
Fidget toys are small objects designed to be held and manipulated in the hands. They help promote concentration, productivity, and mental well-being. People of all ages, from kids to adults, can benefit from using them when they may feel anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed.
Fidget toys serve a range of purposes. While some people use them as an outlet for anxiety or stress relief, others use them to increase focus and concentration. They can also be used as a way to improve one’s dexterity and fine motor skills.
Common Fidget Toys
Fidget toys are usually made out of plastic materials, but some are made of more natural fibers. Common fidget toys include cubes, spinners, flippy chains, rollers, snap cubes, and stretchy strings. Some have buttons that you can press, which make a clicking sound, while others have gears that you can turn by hand.
An endless variety of shapes and colors available on the market today makes it easy to find the perfect toy for each individual person’s needs.
Purpose of Fidget Toys
The concept behind fidget toys is that they provide sensory stimulation, which helps with calming the mind and body down during moments of stress or boredom. This type of stimulation helps reduce restlessness in children who may struggle with staying focused at school or in adults who may feel overwhelmed by their workloads at work (teachers can use them, too!). Studies show that using these types of tools can significantly improve attention span while also reducing feelings of anxiety and stress.
Fidget Toys in the Classroom
Fidget toys can be a beneficial tool for students in the classroom. They can help reduce restlessness and provide an outlet for students to relieve stress, focus their attention better and increase their cognitive processing abilities. However, they must be used appropriately to maximize the benefits and avoid potential disruptions.
Introducing and Setting Rules for Fidget Toys
It is important that teachers set clear rules with their students regarding when and how they should use fidget toys. Teachers often have different theories of thought on this. Some believe that fidget toys should only be used during certain times, and others are firm believers that they should be used whenever the child feels they need them.
It is also important to ensure that all students understand that the purpose of having fidget toys is not for play or entertainment but rather to help them focus on their studies and complete tasks more effectively. If your students are having difficulty not using the fidgets as toys, limiting when they can be used might work best. If that is not an issue for your students, having them whenever they choose might be a better option. Understanding your students and their behavior is key.
Addressing Distractions
If a student becomes disruptive or distracting while using a fidget toy in the classroom, it is important to address the issue as quickly as possible. You should remind the student of the class rules and expectations when it comes to using these types of tools.
In most cases, simply reminding a student that they must use their fidget toy for its intended purpose is enough to get them back on track. However, if this does not work and the disruption continues, then further action may be necessary. For example, you can provide verbal warnings or even assign a consequence, such as losing fidget toy privileges for a period of time.
It is also important to provide students with positive reinforcement when they are using their fidget toys appropriately in an effort to reward them for following instructions. Verbal praise or even a thumbs-up can make a huge difference.
While monitoring behavior is a must, it is also important to ensure that all students understand why it is important not to distract others. Encouraging open dialogue about how fidget toys can help improve focus and concentration without disrupting other students will help create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected – an essential part of any learning environment!
As special educators, we should also take into account each individual student’s needs when deciding what type of action should be taken if they become too distracted while using their fidget toy in class. Some students may need more guidance than others – perhaps by providing additional reminders throughout the lesson – while some may respond better to consequences or positive reinforcement systems. Evaluating each situation on an individual basis in order to determine what approach would work best for that particular student is essential.
Set clear expectations upfront and respond swiftly but appropriately when issues arise.
The Best Fidget Toys for Your Students
When allowing fidget toys in the classroom, it is also important to consider the type of toys being used. Fidget cubes, spinners, or rollers are usually best since these types of tools allow for individualized manipulation without being too distracting for other students.
It is also important to keep an eye out for any safety concerns – spinner toys have small components which could pose a choking hazard if a student accidentally swallows them! If your students are prone to put things in their mouths, this is especially important to consider!
Here are affiliate links to three of our favorite fidget toys to use in the special ed classroom:
It is essential that teachers monitor each student’s usage of fidget toys and ensure that they are using them appropriately with regard to both the intended purpose (i.e., focusing) and respectful behavior towards other classmates (i.e., not bothering others). This can help ensure that everyone in class remains focused on learning while still taking advantage of these beneficial tools.
There are many potential benefits associated with using fidget toys in the classroom as long as they are done so responsibly and within set guidelines.
