27/03/2024
It seems there’s still a fair amount of misunderstanding around FIDGET TOYS 🪀
I always have a box of fidgets to hand, whether I’m delivering therapy, facilitating groups, or in any professional or personal scenarios that might require being seated and focused for a long period of time.
It’s been suggested to me a few times that they need removing due to being distracting, however over time, I’ve noticed that a few things tend to happen when people are allowed to fidget in these scenarios:
✅ Anxiety can be instantly reduced. Excess energy in the body created by stress can be subtly channeled into fidgeting, and the sensory experience can help individuals self-soothe. This helps individuals to regulate, stay present, and calm
✅ People laugh! Young people and adults are often struck by the novelty of having toys available and this invites playfulness into a process which in turn, reduces rigidity of thinking and mood
✅ People are provided a really invaluable opportunity to reflect on what they need in the moment. How often do our needs go unnoticed by us in service of “this is just how things are done”? Why wouldn’t we take the opportunity to make things easier or more tolerable for ourselves and others, if we can?
✅ Focus improves! I’ve had many deep, reflective conversations with people whilst both them and I have a fidget toy in our hands. We are all different and require unique conditions to remain focused and engaged. Distraction happens if someone is not engaged with the content that is in front of them, or they feel unsafe. If people are distracted, check the content and environment first, fidgeting is always available to us whether fidget toys are there, or not
So, if you come along to anything I offer, rest assured there will be fidget toys, and you are welcome to bring anything with you that helps you feel safe, and comforted, whatever your age
(PS. My favourite fidget toy is the spinny football…if you know, you know ⚽️ )