I currently have metallic silver Silly Putty!
When I was in fifth grade, one of my classmates came to school with a supply of a Silly Putty-like substance. I can’t remember how the whole thing went down, but I ended up with some of it. When Mr. Lowry, my teacher, would read to us, I would bring out my putty. Squeezing it in my hands helped me focus on the story. Without the putty, picking my nails was my only other option. I haven’t changed much. When I go to a meeting here at The Mailbox® I bring Silly Putty or play with my pen.
I’m a firm believer that fancy fidgets are not necessary. Almost any little object makes a perfect toy to fidget with. Here’s a list of my faves!
- piece of pipecleaner
- small bottle brush
- nail brush
- gak or putty
- smooth stone
- small squishy ball
- nut and bolt
- wine cork
- stretchy bracelet
- beanbag or beanie toy
- porcupine ball
- piece of faux fur
- hair tie
- pencil topper
- chunk of pool noodle
- small rubber animal toys
- two linking cubes
I like to be doing something with my hands. I love to knit, crochet, when I am watching tv.
I like to play with the sticky stuff that you find on the backs of coupons that come in the mail. It’s a rubber cement-like consistency.
I doodle or draw flowers on paper at staff meetings, although I am paying attention and listening to whatever is being discussed. Helps keep me focused.
I shake my legs. Once my principal came over and put her hands on my knees and asked me to stop. I shake my legs whenever my feet are not flat on the ground or my legs are stretched out.
I’m also a nail biter so I keep pen and paper at hand. I love these ideas from Kim and my fellow teachers. This will help both my students and me. I had an observation in a 4th grade class. A boy seated at the back of the room played with various objects as the teacher talked, but he raised his hand excitedly several times to answer questions. How much more must our students need something to do with their hands than we adults do. Thanks for the list of inexpensive fidget tools.