Fidgets: A Love Story
One of the first things we hear and talk about in the inclusive classroom is supporting students by using fidgets. Fidgets are those items that allow restless (fidgety??) students to move and get their sensory needs met without distracting their peers or becoming completely distracted themselves by needing to move. To get more information about figets: Read this excerpt about fidget bags from Paula Kluth and Sheila Danaher's book. Watch Paula's amazing video about fidgets. Read this article on fidgets and ADD. In middle school and the upper grades, I am all about introducing the fidget individually, slowly, and academically. 1. First, broach the subject of fidgets individually. I had one student in mind who mentioned that she felt the most calm when she was able to squeeze and run her fingers through something. We went online and she choose this one. 2. When it arrived, I showed her one on one how to use the fidget. 3. I gave her 30 minutes to practi...