We all do it... we tap our pencil, we twist our ring, we doodle on our paper. Me? I stir (or swirl) my coffee. I may not even take a drink, I just fidget with the cup. Fidgeting can help us focus. As adults, we have learned to keep our fidgeting discrete. However, many students need help to find an appropriate way to get their wiggles out during work time.
When I think of the perfect fidget for in the classroom 2 things come to mind.
1. It needs to work for the person using it. If it doesn't work, it won't get used. Or even worse, it will become a toy. Which leads us to number 2.
2. It needs to be discrete. If a fidget is being used in a classroom full of students, it needs to be quiet and non-disruptive to everyone in the room.
Now I get to share with you my all-time favorite fidget. Why do I love it? Well, it is super simple to make (you probably have all of the materials hanging around your classroom), quiet and can attach to just about anything.
Here is what you need:
Pipe cleaner
Keyring
4-5 Pony beads
Paperclip (optional)
Directions:
1. Pry open the keyring. I like to use a paperclip to make it a bit easier.
2. Slide on 4-5 beads.
3. Fold up 1-2 inches of the pipe cleaner over the keyring.
4. Twist the end of the pipe cleaner around itself.
5. Press the end of the pipe cleaner flat.
6. Attach the other end of the pipe cleaner to just about anything!
That's it! I told you it was easy.
I like to attach these fidgets to EVERTHING. They are on all of my desks and every leg of my tables. I find that by making the fidgets available to everyone, they lose their novelty (which is a good thing). The kids who don't need the fidgets get bored playing with them and the kids who do need the fidgets have them available at all times. By attaching them to the desks and tables I know that they are always available and I can quickly redirect a student who may be getting their wiggles out in a less appropriate manner (picking at name tags, ripping their paper, etc.).
Are you looking for even more fidget ideas? Check out this post to find out my picks for the Top Fidgets for the Special Education Classroom.
(This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. I only link to products that I personally use and find beneficial. Please click HERE for more information.)
Posts
No comments