It’s a Fidget Time of Year!

It’s December. The Poem, The Night Before Christmas, says that “visions of sugar plums danced in their heads,” but it’s not just sweets that keep kids up at night, or amped up during the day. This month is filled with excitement – parties, school shows, presents, visits from relatives, or trips out of town – and let’s not forget, TIME OUT OF SCHOOL (again)! All kids are feeling a bit off their normal routine, and most can benefit by having access to fidget items.

For some kids, giving them access to fidget items can not only calm an overstimulated brain, but help save a child who’s on the verge of a meltdown. Integrating ways for them to squeeze, squash and stretch can come as a pleasant distraction and a source of calm. The tactile stimulation can help engage the senses while giving proprioceptive input where it’s needed most.

Assess Your Own Working Environment

If you’re a parent who’s sitting at a desk right now, look around you. Chances are good that you either see things that could be considered fidget items or you’re using something as a fidget item without even realizing it. It’s not uncommon to dig through an office desk and find spinners, paper clips that bend in all types of different directions, pens and pencils that are good for tapping and clicking and desk lamps that have more than one brightness setting. Most humans engage in some type of self-stimulatory behavior, but we tend to not give it a name unless we happen to have a medical diagnosis, as bizarre as that sounds.

What to Look for in a Good Sensory Item

Fidget items should be unassuming gadgets that kids can use in school or wherever they go. The best ones are the ones that give a sense of calm and regulation. It definitely takes trial and error before you can expect to find the perfect toolkit of sensory integration items.

While you are creating this toolkit, keep the following benefits in mind:
1. Gathers the sensory system. These tools should provide enough sensory stimulation to meet the child’s needs for touch, movement, and pressure.

2. Redirects pent up energy. These items help channel excess energy, thereby preventing restless behavior. Kids get to release their energy on the items without disrupting those around them.

3. Creates a sense of calm. When many of us experience stress or anxiety, we tend to resort to sensory activities like pacing, shaking a crossed leg, twirling hair… All of these things help us to gather our system in order to function. Kids are no different.

4. Promotes focus. Because their internal sensory needs are being met, it’s easier for children to concentrate and complete the tasks at hand. Giving them ways to get their excess energy out while settling their mind and body makes for a little body that is more ready to learn.

5. Improves mood. Oftentimes when we get into a bad mood it’s because we are overthinking or perseverating on something that is upsetting. Engaging with a fidget item not only helps redirect our sensory system, but also our thoughts. Especially if your child happens to really like the activity around this fidget item, their entire mood can flip.

Fidget Ideas

A few items that can be used in the back seat of the car, as well as a classroom, are listed below. Be sure that the items that you consider are age appropriate. There is nothing cool about a 16 year old carrying around an item that’s meant for a four year old, so keep that in mind. If your child has an occupational therapist, talk to them, and get their advice on what would be best.

Poppers. These items are all the rage right now. You see them everywhere. Walk down any toy aisle in Walmart, Target or even your local convenience store and you’re likely to find some type of plastic popper.

Wacky Tracks. This keeps little hands busy because it is movable, and easy to hold. It can be kept in a classroom desk, or in the sensory station.

Water beads stress ball. I have to admit, I really love these. I attend a lot of conferences and it’s a smart company who gives them away at their table because I end up carrying it around, squishing it all day long 😊 and kids do too! But, make sure it’s strong enough to not break, or that the child is old enough to understand not to break it open.

Noise-cancelling headphones.  They say, “silence is golden” and for a child who gets overwhelmed by too much noise, this can be a goldmine that every sensory kit should include. In addition, many special ed classrooms include a student who makes loud sounds from time to time, and every child should have a way to maintain their own peace.

Wearable wrist spinner for older kids. I think this is VERY cool! I don’t know the brand, but this type of item can be discreet, easy to use and very attractive to other kids (friend magnet).

Tangle manipulative. These use to be so great for my son. He loved just flipping them around and making all kinds of shapes.

Kickbands for Classroom (or kitchen) chairs. If you’ve got a kid who’s always “antsy”, these bands that get wrapped around the legs of classroom desks are great. I’ve seen some classrooms where teachers placed them on all classroom desks (and those have been general education classrooms).

Wiggle Cushion. I can’t express how many kids I’ve seen helped by wiggle cushions. They can be purchased in the color of the classroom chair so that it’s not noticeable by others. The kids get input and are actually reinforced at the same time.

Pencil pushers. These are cool because they go right onto the pencil or pen, so your child won’t need to go digging around for a fidget while they’re working on a classroom assignment. Plus, it’s pretty inconspicuous to use in a general education classroom.

While you’re out or online holiday shopping, grabbing a few of these might help make things a bit easier during this chaotic and overstimulating holiday season. AND they might be a huge benefit when it’s time to go back into the old routine post-holiday break!

PS – If your child has sensory needs, and they attend public school, your school should be ordering them – not you. Find the ones that you think might work best and call your school to request additions to their sensory toolbox. These can also be added to the Special Considerations section of their IEP.