How to Create the Perfect Classroom Fidget

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.)

Stop Picking at the Tape! - Tips for Keeping Visuals on the Table

It is the beginning of the year.  Your desks are in perfect rows, pencils are sharpened, tissues are stocked, and your classroom library is beautifully organized. Name tags carefully adorn each desk.  You are ready to rock this year.

Now it is January. You have given up trying to keep the desks in rows, the pencil sharpener is broken and half the class is writing in marker, you have been out of tissues since the November plague, and your classroom library looks like the bargain bin at your local outlet store. To top it off, a majority of the name tags have fallen off of the desks because the kids won't... stop... picking...

Sound familiar?  There are some students (and adults!) who just can't help themselves.  I get it.  You know that pimple that you have to pick?  You know it is going to make it worse but you just can't help yourself. Or, that hangnail that has been driving you crazy all day.  Once you start picking at something, it is really hard to stop.

With that being said, there are some things that need to stay on the students' desks or tables.  Name tags, sticker charts, behavior reminders, visual schedules... they need to be kept close at hand for our students, but how do you keep them on their desks?  I've got 5 tips for keeping visuals on the table.

1. Scotch Tape - Now, there may be people who disagree with me on this one, but hear me out.  I love using Scotch tape to tape down my visuals for a couple of reasons.

1.  It is cheap and I always have it on hand.  
2. As long as the tape is perfectly flat, most kids don't even notice where the edges are and they tend to leave it alone.  

I find that Scotch tape is easier to work with than packing tape and far less expensive than contact paper or self-stick laminating sheets.  I like to laminate the visual first and then tape down all of the edges.  However, I have also taped down visuals without laminating.  As long as you make sure the entire visual is covered with tape, it holds up pretty well.  The behavior visuals that I have on my table are a freebie in my store and can be found HERE.

2. Colored Electrical Tape - Do your students need a visual boundary to help them stay within their own space?  Colored electrical tape is great for sectioning off tables.  Now when I say colored, I mean any color other than black.  Black will leave a bit of a residue that can be a pain to clean off later.  Electrical tape is great because you can't pick off small pieces.  It isn't as satisfying since it is an "all or nothing" deal when you are trying to pick it off.  It is easy to peel back, but also really easy to press back down.  You can find the tape that I use HERE.

3. AVOID PAINTERS TAPE! - If you have ever used painters tape on a student's desk or table, you know what I am talking about.  It shreds as you peel it off which is way too enticing for little fingers!

4. Try Velcro - Are you swapping out your visuals on a regular basis?  Velcro may be the solution that best meets your needs.  I like to use THESE hook and loop dots.  They hold up really well, but come off with a little bit of force if I no longer need them on the table.

5. Fidgets - I've got two words for you: Replacement Behavior.  If a student is picking at the tape on the table, give them something else to do with their hands.  When used properly, fidgets can be an incredible tool to help a student focus and to keep their fingers off of the tape. I like to attach fidgets to all of my tables and desks so that they are available for anyone who may need them.  Would you like to learn how to make my favorite fidget?  Click HERE for directions. 

Do you have any tips for keeping visuals on the table?  Please share!

(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.)