Fidgets can be beneficial in a school setting because they act as tools that help students manage their attention and emotional state, ultimately supporting learning.
How Fidgets Support Learning
Fidget tools are often described as self-regulation devices. They can play a key role in helping students stay engaged and focused on their academic tasks.
Improving Focus and Attention
One of the primary benefits of using fidgets in school is their potential to increase a person's focus and attention to a task at hand. According to Ferry (2017), these tools serve as a means for students to channel excess energy or restlessness, allowing their minds to concentrate better on lessons, assignments, or tests.
Instead of becoming distracted by internal restlessness or external stimuli, the act of using a fidget can provide just enough sensory input to keep the brain engaged and attentive to the primary task.
Providing a Calming Effect
Beyond boosting focus, fidgets can also offer a significant calming effect for students who are experiencing difficult emotions or physical sensations. For a student feeling dysregulated, such as being agitated or anxious, a fidget tool can provide a safe and non-disruptive outlet for that energy.
This ability to help a student self-soothe can be crucial in preventing disruptive behavior and enabling them to remain in a focused and receptive state for learning.
Benefits Summarized
- Enhance Focus: Helps students direct their attention to academic tasks.
- Increase Attention: Supports sustained concentration during lessons.
- Promote Calm: Provides a soothing effect for anxious or agitated feelings.
- Support Self-Regulation: Gives students a tool to manage their own state.
By providing these benefits, fidgets can create a more conducive learning environment for students who benefit from sensory or movement input to manage their attention and emotions effectively within the classroom structure.
