By Alissa Kay 
Fidgets!
Have you heard of them? They’re everywhere! In school, at the grocery store and I’ve even seen them at church. I totally understand that they can be an educational tool for some kids. They need something to fidget with to help them stay focused. When I was a young kid and going through some major medical stuff, I had a squish ball- remember those? Different thing, same concept. It totally helped me.
My son is all about the fidgets and he wants them. Except he’s your typical student and does not need them. In fact, I think it would be a huge distraction for him. So we said no initially. A couple weeks ago, after he stopped begging, we went to the store and he was able to pick out some Thinking Putty (similar to old school silly putty). After a few days of using it at home only, he started to ask to bring it school. I told him if he needed it, then his teacher would surely let me know. Obviously, that conversation didn’t happen because my son does not need a fidget, whether it’s putty, a spinner or something else.
Not too long ago, I was volunteering at my kids’ school and when I went in to my son’s room, I was shocked to find out how many of his classmates had containers of putty on their desk or spinners in their hand. Truly. My mind was blown. And then I saw that container of putty on my son’s desk. Say what?! Yup. There it was. Apparently, he busted himself out when his teacher announced earlier that his mom was coming by later to read a story to class. He got a look of complete shock that quickly turned in to panic. His teacher and I got to have that conversation together in front of my son. Now he’s allowed to bring fidgets to school and I’m realizing it’s not so bad after all.
For his particular teacher, she has 29 students in her class. That’s a lot of kids to manage by yourself. A handful of those kids greatly benefit from fidgets and have them included as part of their IEP (Individualized Education Plan). She decided anyone in her class can use them as long as they continue to get work done and stay focused. I will say the putty is the preferred fidget. Less likely to result in an injury. If she was okay with it, then I could get on board too. We reminded him of the rules and assured him that his teacher and I are on the same page and that we have multiple ways to get in touch with each other at a moment’s notice should there ever be a problem. He understands that next year’s teacher will probably have different rules. So far, this trend of everyone wanting a fidget is working out okay for my son… and hopefully, by the fall, this trend will be over and it’ll just be popular among the kids who truly benefit. Those fidgets really do work and for now, I’m enjoying the quieter car rides!
And in case you’re wondering, I got my own putty for Mother’s Day and yes, I’ll be using it!
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