Fidgeting is a thing for many people, both adults and children. It may be a result of nervousness, frustration, agitation, boredom, ADHD or a combination. Studies show that when interested in a task, a seated person will suppress their fidgeting. In a classroom situation children are expected to sit for long periods of time, listening to their teachers. This can cause for them to fidget but according to studies they should be able to easily suppress it when fully engaged. Therefore, since teachers aim for complete engagement from their pupils there is no problem. Correct? See what I did there? Of course this is wrong since, in practice, things are quite different.

If you are like me, someone who picks up on sounds very easily, you will find sounds made by fidgeting both very distracting and annoying. You will instinctively want to stop your pupils from making sounds that will result in distracting their classmates, too. Research though, has shown that students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can concentrate better when they’re allowed to fidget! This leaves us with a problem, how can children be allowed to fidget in a productive way for both themselves and those around them?

1. Squishies

Squishy balls, stress balls, hand exercisers, Plastecine, Play-Doh, or Sticky Tack, slime are some of the things that can be squeezed quietly. 
Teacher tip: Make sure that kids use them under their desks for minimal distractions to others.

2. Fidget toys

Fidget toys are small objects that help keep pupils’ hands occupied. You can buy these on Amazon.
Teacher tip: Avoid fidget spinners as they can be very distracting to others.

4. Rough surfaces

Tape a strip of the rough side of Velcro under the pupil’s desk. It gives them something to touch.
Teacher tip: Try strips of different textures.

4. Chair leg bands

Tie a large rubber band (or yoga band) across both front legs of the chair for students to push or pull against with their legs.
Teacher tip: You may consider putting them on all the chairs s others aren’t jealous.

5. Cushions

Cushions make chairs softer and allow children to make movements in their seats.
Teacher tip: Try using a disk seat is the child is very hyperactive.

6. Work stations

Students don’t have to do their learning at their desk—they can move to different places in the room. Unfortunately, with Covid-19 this isn’t possible at the moment but is something you can keep in mind once the pandemic is over.
Teacher tip: Having different learning stations can benefit all children.

 Let me know how you get on in the comments below. Like and share this post ❤

Till next time…

Photo by Hannah Tasker on Unsplash