Children
with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often have difficulty
staying focused, following directions, and regulating their impulses in early
learning settings. This can affect their ability to pay attention to activities
as well as their social skills and self-esteem. One way to help children with
ADHD cope with the challenges of the classroom environment is to provide them
with fidgets. Fidgets are small, handheld objects that can be squeezed,
twisted, or manipulated in various ways. Fidgets can help children with ADHD by
giving them an outlet for their excess energy, reducing stress and anxiety, and
improving their concentration and attention span. However, many early childhood
educators worry that fidgets will be a distraction or disruption in the
classroom, which they can be, if they are not used appropriately.
In
this blog post, we will explain how you can talk about and use fidgets as
tools, not toys, to support children with ADHD in early learning settings. And
if you’re interested in learning more strategies to support children with ADHD,
check out our new on-demand course,
ADHD: Strategies for Supporting Young Children.
Letting kids with ADHD fidget is a great way to support
their regulation. If you think about it, we all fidget to some degree,
especially in situations where we’re expected to sit still or pay attention for
extended periods. Do you use fidgets? Click a pen open and shut? Twirl your
hair? Tap your fingers on the desk? These are all examples of fidgeting that
many adults engage in, whether they realize it or not.
Fidgets can be
particularly helpful for children with ADHD, as they can:
- Enhance focus and attention: Fidgets can help
children with ADHD stay on task by providing them with a sensory input that
matches their arousal level. Fidgets can also block out other distracting
stimuli, such as noises, movements, or visual clutter, that might otherwise
divert their attention.
- Reduce stress and anxiety: Fidgets can help
children with ADHD calm down and relax by releasing tension and anxiety through
the sensory experience of fidgeting. Fidgets can also act as a coping mechanism
for children who feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or nervous in challenging
situations.
- Improve behavior and social skills: Fidgets can
help children with ADHD regulate their impulses and emotions by giving them a
constructive way to get the sensory input they need to focus and engage.
Fidgets can also facilitate communication and interaction with peers and adults
by serving as a conversation starter, a shared interest, or a tool for
collaboration.
Fidgets can be effective tools for children with ADHD, but teachers who have not used them before may be concerned they will be a distraction in the classroom.
Here are some tips for educators and parents on how to use fidgets as tools, not toys, in early learning settings:
- Choose the right fidgets: Fidgets should be small, quiet, and discreet, so that they do not draw attention or interfere with the learning process. Fidgets should also be durable, safe, and easy to clean, and they should match the child's preferences, needs, and abilities. Some examples of fidgets we love are tangles, pop-its, stress balls, and bracelets that provide sensory input.
- Set clear rules and expectations: Fidgets should be introduced and explained to the child and the class as tools, not toys, that can help with learning and behavior. If you have introduced the concept of Fair vs. Equal in your classroom, the students will understand that certain children may need different tools than others to help them focus and engage. Fidgets should be used only when needed, and not as a form of entertainment or distraction. Fidgets should be kept in a designated place, such as a desk, a pocket, or a backpack, and they should not be thrown, shared, or traded with others. One way to decrease the novelty and excitement that introducing fidgets might bring is to make them available to all children at other times of the day and then only available to those who need them during large group or other times when they need to be focused and engaged. This way all children will have the opportunity to explore them at other times so will be less interested in them when their peers need to use them as a tool.
- Monitor and adjust: Fidgets should be monitored and adjusted according to the child's response and the situation. Different types of fidgets provide very different sensory input, so it will likely take some trial and error to find the right fidget that provides the sensory input a child needs. Check out this on-demand course to learn more about how early childhood educators can use sensory strategies to promote regulation for young children. You may have to offer new fidgets or rotate out the options periodically if a fidget is no longer meeting a child’s needs.
Fidgets can be a valuable resource for children with ADHD in early learning settings, as they can help them focus, calm down, and decrease impulsive behavior. However, it is crucial to introduce fidgets as tools, not toys, to support learning and development. Educators and parents should choose the right fidgets, set clear rules and expectations, and monitor and adjust the use of fidgets to ensure their effectiveness and appropriateness. To learn more about how ADHD presents in the classroom and how early childhood educators can support children with ADHD In the classroom, check out our new course
ADHD: Strategies for Supporting Young Children. - The IMPACT Team
