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A+ Advice for ParentsHelping the 'fidgeters'By Leanna Landsmann Q: My third grade son, Perrin, is a fidgeter. He can't sit quietly in a chair. This year's teacher has less patience with him than last year's. She says he's distractible, isn't comfortable at his desk and just can't settle down. How can we teach him to sit still? He's been tested for ADHD, and he is perfectly normal. He just squiggles a lot. Any hints?
A: As a fellow fidgeter, I'm sympathetic! Since tests have ruled out attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder, I assume his teacher's goal is to improve Perrin's ability to pay attention so he doesn't miss important information and to minimize distraction to his classmates. Rather than try to teach Perrin to "sit still," work with his teacher to give him "fidgeting" techniques that are less distractive to his classmates and that will channel his focus. Research shows that most of us have a learning style: visual, auditory, sensory/tactile and so on. Kids who fidget often learn better when they can get their hands on their learning, rather than simply listening or reading. Like many kids, Perrin has a physical need to move about and touch things while he's trying to pay attention. Psychologist and educator Jane Bluestein, in her book, "The Win-Win Classroom" (Corwin, 2007), helps teachers find ways to leverage, rather than fight, students' learning styles. "We humans have notoriously short attention spans," Bluestein. "Figure roughly one minute of attention for every year of age. For a child Perrin's age, that means he's switching gears every five to 10 minutes." When Perrin fidgets, he's giving himself what Bluestein calls a "brain break" to help him maintain attention. Perrin would probably benefit from more hands-on learning experiences, but it's hard to ask the teacher to change her teaching style. But you can ask her to work with you to make Perrin's fidgeting more productive for him and less intrusive to others. Bluestein offers these ideas. Ask his teacher to consider them, and try them at home. -- Get Perrin "fidget" toys. Many students listen more attentively when they do something else while they are listening, says Bluestein. (Think of people who doodle during meetings.) "Some fidgeting behavior can be successfully channeled into tactile activities such as playing with a beanbag, gel ball, stress ball, clay, pipe cleaner, clothespin or even a piece of string. These can help a student focus the mind. Some schools give kids stress balls to use during tests." The rule for fidget toys is "it's in your hands, in your lap, in your desk, or on the floor," never in the air or in your classmate's space. -- Use other tactile devices. For example, attach Velcro strips to his desk. Tape strips 3 to 4 inches long to the underside of his desk or seat to touch while listening. Give him a variety of different-sized pens, pencils and markers to use or hold. -- Think about Perrin's wardrobe. "Over the years, I've noticed that students who move around a lot are often those who like to keep their jackets on in class because they can actually sit still and concentrate better when they have some weight on them," says Bluestein. "You can buy vests or jackets to which weights can be discretely added, or you can simply fill pockets of a lightweight jacket with weight such as rolls of pennies. This can relax and 'anchor' kids who are easily distracted or hyperactive." Some teachers keep 5- to 10-pound sacks of beans or rice, or rice-filled socks in their classrooms to place on the laps or shoulders of fidgeting students. -- Consider modifying Perrin's chair. "The one-size-fits-all classroom chairs can cause fidgeting and have an effect on a child's learning, attention and behavior," says Bluestein. "I've see smart teachers give kids ways to modify their chairs with egg-crate" foam squares, wedge-shaped pillows or air-filled "fidget" cushions kids can put on their seats. Many teachers buy beanbag chairs, recliners, rocker, or chairs with arms at garage sales to accommodate kids like Perrin who have a hard time sitting in traditional chairs for long periods of time. Allowing Perrin to move about at appropriate times during class could actually increase his attention." -- Don't make a big deal of this with Perrin. Fidgeting isn't a disability. Some studies show it's a positive. Scientists have observed that fidgeters are less likely to be overweight because they burn more calories. A team of researchers at the University of Hertfordshire, England, found that children who fidget with their hands learn more quickly than those who stay still. The researchers believe that hand movements and gestures help children to think, speak and learn. Their advice to teachers? Rather than trying to prevent kids from moving their hands, if teachers encouraged more fidgeting they might find kids actually learn more! Copyright 2008, United Feature Syndicate, Inc. A-PLUS ADVICE FOR PARENTS 2-19-08 Submission inquiries? Contact Dave Gladney at 856-241-7772 or dgladney@AEPweb.org.
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