You’ve probably seen the YouTube videos. Or, maybe your kid’s spinning one right now. Either way, it’s safe to say that fidget spinners are taking the internet — and our kids’ classrooms — by storm.
Designed to help those on the autism spectrum or students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, supporters say the fidget spinners help the students focus.
But the spinners have reached a certain notoriety with teachers, as depicted in this teacher’s viral blogpost, “I’m a Teacher, and Trust Me When I Say That Fidget Spinners Are the Effing Worst.”
So, do the fidget spinners really work, or are they just a nuisance? We asked a team of occupational therapists, psychologists, and physical therapists they think fidget spinners are just a fad, or a gamechanger in the classroom.
What Are “Fidget Spinners”?
“A fidget [spinner] is a small toy or object that a child (or an adult) manipulates in his or her hands while they’re reading, working, or listening. Fidget tools provide us with subtle movement and touch input that can help calm our bodies and keep our minds attentive, alert, and focused. Movement has been found to be a powerful component of focus and problem solving and fidgets provide an outlet for small movements of the hands while we work, think, or listen. Fidget spinners are only one of many commercially available fidget tools on the market.”
Claire Heffron, MS OTR/L and Lauren Drobnjak, PT (co-founders and co-authors of the child development blog, The Inspired Treehouse).
“Fidget spinners are a fad. Kids are interested in exploring these gadgets and much like they are interested in the newest version of the iPhone or a toy or game that’s all the rage. It’s exciting to explore a new item and since they seem to be everywhere,—on school buses, in classrooms, even in the pediatrician’s waiting room—they’re hard to resist. Plus, fidget spinners are easy to use and can be soothing and entertaining. I think for most individuals, the interest is based on the novelty of the device.”
Stephanie O’Leary, Clinical Psychologist and author of “Parenting in the Real World.”
What’s the Logic Behind Fidget Spinners?
“Some kids crave movement and this can be exacerbated in situations that require sitting still and being quiet, as is often required in the classroom. Alternately, other children benefit from sensory input, such as spinning, squeezing, or standing, in order to rally their resources and focus more clearly. The logic is that a device such as a fidget spinner would provide stimulation for kids who are under-stimulated and provide a release of excess energy for children who are naturally more active.”
Stephanie O’Leary, Clinical Psychologist and author of “Parenting in the Real World.”
How Do Fidget Spinners Help Kids Stay Focused?
“Fidgets (i.e. spinners, cubes, twirling/tapping a pencil, fidgeting with hair or a necklace, doodling etc) provide the needed movement or body sensations (sensory input) that helps the brain remain engaged. The brain is complex, using multiple sensory inputs to engage and stay engaged in the world. Simply listening to (auditory) or seeing (visual) information may not be enough sensory information to capture and sustain a child’s attention for an extended period of time. It is common for all individuals to instinctually find a way to get the sensations we need to help us focus and stay focused for long periods of time. When the environment does not lend itself to the needed sensations for attention and engagement (either because the child requires more or the structure of the environment offers less) fidgets may fill the gap.”
Annie Mori, OTD, OTR/L, occupational therapist at PlaySense Inc. in Redondo Beach, CA.
“I think that it’s important to look at fidgeting as something many people (even kids and adults without attention problems) do to help them stay focused and alert. We might tap a foot, play with a ring on one of our fingers finger, or click a pen – these are all subtle movements we’re doing to help our minds attend to the task at hand. Kids can use fidget tools (fidget spinners and many other different types of fidgets) in the same way to help them attend in class.”
Claire Heffron, MS OTR/L and Lauren Drobnjak, PT (co-founders and co-authors of the child development blog, The Inspired Treehouse).
They Sound Like a Great Tool…So Why Do Teachers Seem to Hate Them?
“Like with any new toy or trend, allowing fidget spinners in the classroom can be disruptive to the learning process. Kids can be distracted by these spinners and lose track of what the teacher is presenting or what they are supposed to be working on. In addition, if students are using fidget spinners there may be increased chatter regarding the devices that can further distract from the flow of the classroom.”
Stephanie O’Leary, Clinical Psychologist and author of “Parenting in the Real World.”
“Having worked with children in classroom settings for nearly 3 decades, I also imagine that a significant subset of them would occasionally attempt tricks with the spinners (as demonstrated on youtube videos) to gain attention from their classmates. Finally, I would be somewhat concerned regarding a spinner flying out of one’s hands and striking a classmate.”
Dr. M.D. Rapport, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Professor at University of Central Florida, APA Fellow and Director of Children’s Learning Clinic.
“Fidgets may not be appropriate for everyone. In these cases, fidgets become toys rather than tools. Every child is different in how they learn and the sensory tools they may need to remain engaged. Consultation with an occupational therapist with training in sensory integration will be able to provide both general principles for engaging the brain in learning as well as individualize the tools that may optimize learning in different environments and for distinct needs.”
Annie Mori, OTD, OTR/L, occupational therapist at PlaySense Inc. in Redondo Beach, CA.
If a Student Truly Needs a Fidget Spinner to Focus, How Can the Teacher Make It Work?
“The most success I’ve seen with teachers using fidget tools in their classrooms has been when there is a structured approach to introducing the tools and making them a part of the classroom culture. This includes talking to kids about their individual sensory needs and preferences, talking to kids about why we fidget and why fidget tools can help, and setting structured rules and responsibilities surrounding the tools and equipment.”
Claire Heffron, MS OTR/L and Lauren Drobnjak, PT (co-founders and co-authors of the child development blog, The Inspired Treehouse).
“If a child truly needs a fidget for attention, they will likely have less distracting behaviors as they are more focused. Typically, it may take about 2 weeks after introducing a new tool to a classroom, for the teacher and students to adjust and the novelty to wear off. Providing clear rules and boundaries for the appropriate use and purpose of fidgets is helpful in aiding children to understand each other’s learning differences.”
Annie Mori, OTD, OTR/L, occupational therapist at PlaySense Inc. in Redondo Beach, CA.
If Fidget Spinners Aren’t Allowed in Class, What Else Can Teachers Do to Help Kids Focus?
“Ensuring that children have opportunities to move, stretch, and release energy throughout the day helps children manage their impulses and focus more consistently. Building in extra recess time, ensuring that kids are encouraged to move and play during breaks and recess (as opposed to habitually losing time as a punishment), and implementing curriculum that teaches stress management skills such as meditation and mindfulness are excellent ways to address and reduce anxiety. If a child truly struggles to focus, there is research to suggest that chewing gum or standing while working can enhance concentration. In addition, sitting on a yoga ball, which engages core muscles, can provide sensory input that may also improve focus.”
Stephanie O’Leary, Clinical Psychologist and author of “Parenting in the Real World.”
“Offering children frequent breaks for movement, allowing them to stand, providing
flexible seating (such as a swivel, rocking chair or ball chair), allowing a variety of tools to support attention and focus … In short, everyone utilizes strategies to organize and attend. Adults have the freedom and tools available to help themselves attend. Children needs these opportunities even more than adults. However, often their environments do not allow them the same opportunities.”
Annie Mori, OTD, OTR/L, occupational therapist at PlaySense Inc. in Redondo Beach, CA.
