What Makes a Good Fidget? A School-Based Approach and Tip Sheep

What Makes a Good Fidget? 

A School-Based Approach and Tip Sheep

What makes a fidget helpful? What makes a fidget annoying? 

Kids and school-based occupational therapists (OT's) may be the best people to ask the first question.
Teachers may best be able to answer the latter. As an OT working in the schools I see too many fidgets fall into the category of annoying.  Then I see them literally fall into the waste bin.  This could be because there was insufficient training when the fidget was handed out.  It could also be the design of the fidget or the distractibility of the students or teacher.  Regardless, there are some ways to make fidget a useful tool for dealing with anxiety, the need for movement, and in developing fine motor skills.

For more tips and guidelines, check out this ever evolving document:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t-Ub-j5KM-8p1ZpJ8ScZtmY2dQMBjAxYB2A5nGTQsLw/edit?usp=sharing

Affordable solar powered gadgets

Help your students work on fine motor skills and learn about solar energy with some of these affordable DIY maker kits.

http://www.browndoggadgets.com/collections/early-education

       

         

LEGO for Occupational Therapists: Tips for Incorporating LEGO Into Your Occupational Therapy Program

http://blog.brickmarketplace.com/2016/04/lego-for-occupational-therapists-tips.html?m=1
author: Meaghan Nanson

Occupational therapists have a fun, difficult, and rewarding job. Their goal is to help people with specific physical, emotional, social or developmental needs participate in a full range of activities regardless of disability or other perceived barriers. In short, they provide specialized assistance to people of all ages who want to lead independent and fulfilling lives. Using elements of physical therapy, speech-language therapy, art therapy and more, occupational therapists create an environment that mimics the activities required in daily life – albeit sometimes in fun, creative ways. 

 This is where LEGO toys come in..... (See full article here) 

Spelling with Nuts and Bolts -combining literacy, spelling, and fine motor

http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2013/05/spelling-with-nuts-bolts.html

also:
http://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/2013/03/15/18-tactile-spelling-activities/

Does Handwriting Need to be Saved?

OT with Martha - Letter folding jig

Handwriting Worksheet Maker

Handwriting Worksheet Maker:  Customize handwriting worksheets by content size, color, print vs cursive, dots vs hollow/outline, etc.  Ex: have student practice specific letters or their own name.  

http://handwritingpractice.net/handwriting/index.html
Also see:
http://www.softschools.com/custom/worksheets/words.jsp
http://www.worksheetworks.com/english/writing/handwriting.html
Worksheet works also has math geography, English, mazes, money and some other cutting and prewriting worksheets
http://www.writingwizard.longcountdown.com/handwriting_practice_worksheet_maker.html
This one is geared toward ESL students. Create writing worksheets lets you choose letter style and size and variety of practice options eg trace copy or freehand. Single words like vocabulary lists or phrases. 
http://www.toolsforeducators.com
A great site for free printable custom resources eg custom bingo cards, lotto cards, crossword maker, game boards, custom paper dice maker, certificate maker, more
Many topics to choose from eg animals, foods, vehicles, occupations, prepositions
http://www.eslflashcards.com

Low Cost Toys / Activities

http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/toys.html


resource from Martha Thomas

also see: 
Balloon hover craft: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbAuaN8wIvA

Balloon rocket: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6NIgPIh7HU

Alternative ways of working on handwriting - 1