Accepting and Understanding the Fidget Craze

When I first got into education I was a substitute teacher in Connecticut. I primarily worked at an elementary school and the fidget craze was just beginning with fidget spinners.

I'll admit I did not understand them and how they would help students especially ADHD students and when I got my first actual teaching job I did not allow them out.

The craze continued to grow into pop-its and more and my own children were excited when they pulled these items out of treasure box at the of the week. I would cringe inside when they showed me their new items.

AND THEN SOMETHING HAPPENED...

The pandemic happened and I realized something profound. I would fidget with my pen while teaching. I wasn't ever 100% still and that was then I understood what my students needed. I began allowing quiet fidgets and when I made the move to middle school from high school would even keep them as reward prizes for my weekly raffle. I even found a fidget that fit what needed for myself. The "bike chain" fidget helped me more than I ever thought it would. I stood at my door clicking a pen or rolling an expo marker around. I would fidget with my room key and lanyard. This shift allowed me to understand how students feel and allowed me to reach an understanding on this level with them.

1. Fidgets can be calming

2. Fidgets can ease stress and anxiety

3. Pick your battles (I only allow quiet fidgets and we cannot be passing it around to everyone in the room)

4. Check in with yourself, if you do I think you will find what I found out and that is you fidget as well. We just never had the tools