Teaching Children About Fidgets

How and when to use fidgets (and what they are) is one of my favorite activities to teach children both in the office and in the classroom. I often pair it with an impulse control lesson (see an upcoming blog post for that lesson). Commercial fidgets are easier to find in mainstream stores, but they aren’t right for everyone. We can explore what may and may not work as a fidget through a formal lesson. 

I typically provide fidget lessons to help children understand what can help them focus and what might distract them, but fidgets have the potential to be an excellent distraction when children are upset or need to have a moment of escape. Using them for that purpose be discussed in next week’s blog post. Today’s article will be about how to use fidgets for focusing. 

How to Give a Formal Fidget Lesson

Step 1

Explain what a fidget is (“It is something you can hold to help you focus.”). If the kids have heard of fidgets I may ask them to explain what they are.  Discuss how fidgets are different from toys. 

Step 2

Show a variety of fidgets. Demonstrate different ways to use them. I will ask them a trick question, “Will this help you focus or will it distract you?” (I make sure they know the meaning of “distract” too.) 

The answer is that it depends. Everyone has different fidget needs. It also depends on how we use the fidget. So if I’m holding a squeeze ball and I just squeeze it then it may be helpful, but if I throw it, then it won’t be.

Step 3

If I am teaching impulse control with this lesson I will explain what that means then take my very exciting bowl of fidgets, spread them out in front of the kids, and ask them to wait to touch them until I say “go.” I give them a few minutes to explore the fidgets, share them, then ask them to choose one that they think will help them focus. I include things such as pipe cleaners and polished rocks in with the fidgets and often explain that these are good choices for a lot of children because they are less like toys. 

Step 4

We talk about the expectations when using fidgets. I have them come up with the list. I demonstrate potential problems as needed.

They basically come down to 4 things:

1. It has to help you focus

2. It has to stay quiet

3. It has to stay in your hands

4. It can’t distract others

Step 5

I will have the children hold their fidgets while we complete a Mad Lib together or read a story. I tell them that I may ask them to switch it out if it makes it hard for them to follow the fidget rules. It helps to have a helper observe the children to provide feedback in Step 6. 

Step 6

We discuss whether the fidget helped or not. Did they stop holding their fidget? Did they end up fidgeting with something on their body like their shoelaces or other clothing? Do they think they might need a fidget in the future? Fidgets aren’t for everyone, and sometimes they need to hear this too. 

Make Sure to Collaborate

It is important that if this lesson is at a school that teachers understand that there is often novelty initially and that children will often give up caring about them if they don’t need them. The children also need to understand that adults may have “veto power” if they see that they aren’t working. 

Try Using a Fidget Application

In one of my schools the middle school teachers have a fidget application. In that children are expected to explain why they feel they need a fidget and how it will help them. Send an email at info@thestressdetective.com if you’d like a copy.