Fidgets

Welcome to the OT Cutler School Parent Blog. 

What is a Fidget?

Fidget toys are affordable self-regulation tools that assist with attention, calming, and listening. Fidgets come in a variety of shapes, textures and sizes.  They have different names such as stress balls, Tangle, pom-pom, putty, clay, fidget rings, coil key chains, pipe cleaners, material, fidget cube, fidget spinner, marble fidgets, etc.  A fidget can assist with movement and tactile input that is important to for some children’s learning.  We use fidgets in the classrooms at Cutler school.

Who Is It For?

Fidgets are used to help some children and adults with trouble focusing, or who fidget to relieve energy, anxiety, and/or stress.

How It Helps?

The Body-Brain Connection: How Fidgeting Sharpens Focus - see below Fidget toys and why your kid’s brain loves them – see below link

https://www.additudemag.com/focus-factors/

Fidget toys and why your kid’s brain loves them – from PBS News Hour – refer to link below to see article.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/fidget-toys-kids-brain-loves

Rules for Fidget use in the classroom:

Below are some links for fidget rules that you may be able to adapt for home.

https://ecdn.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Fidget-Rules-065737000-1371585963-1396854303/original-734021-1.jpg

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fidget-Rules-3444260

 

Where Can I Find Fidgets?

Below is a list of a few online stores where you can find fidgets.

1. Amazon.com
2. TheraPro.com
3. Therapy Shoppe

Blue Zone Tools

 Welcome to the OT Cutler School Parent Blog. 

In this blog we will discuss Zones of Regulation tools we can use when we are in the blue zone.  In the blue zone we have low energy.  We may feel sleepy, tired, bored, hurt, sick, or sad.  Blue Zone Tools are alerting, give us energy, and can help us get back to the Green Zone to be ready to participate. Some examples of tools that students use in the Blue Zone when they are in school are:  

School Blue Zone Tools:

Drink water

Deep breaths/orb breathing (3-5)

Use a fidget
Take a break

Take a walk
Stretch

Chair or wall push-ups

Squeeze hands together

Use a cushion

Stand desk

Gum

On February 14^th we had an all school assembly.  The focus of the assembly was to review the four Zones and tools that can be used to be in the Green Zone, ready to participate more of the time.  At the assembly the students learned that we sometimes need more than one Zone Tool to get us to the correct zone.  For example, if a student is in the Blue Zone and tired in school they might first stretch and if they are still not in the Blue Zone they can get a drink of water.  Above is a follow-up activity from one of the classes on Blue Zone Tools.  These tools can also be used at home. 

In our next Blog we will discuss the purpose of fidgets.

Yellow Zone Tools

Welcome to the OT Cutler School Parent Blog. 

We are continuing with our discussion about the Zones of Regulation tools (strategies) for big emotions.  In the Yellow Zone you have some loss of control, but you can generally get it back.  In the Yellow Zone you may have frustration, anxiety, jealousness, grouchiness, silliness, the wiggles, or nervousness. Yellow Zone tools help us to calm down to get back to the Green Zone to be ready to participate.  Many of the tools the students use in school they can use at home. Some examples of school tools that students use in the Yellow Zone are listed below.

School Yellow Zone Tools:

Take a break (rest and return area)

Deep breaths (3-5)

Read

Drink water

Use a fidget

Shark Fin

Ask for help (Use your words)

Positive self-talk

Have a snack

Gum

Take a walk

Work in a quiet space

Use noise cancellation headphones

Use stand desk

Use seat air cushion

Use a weighted lap pad

The next blog will focus Blue Zone Tools (strategies) that can be used at home and school.  If you have any questions about Zones of Regulation curriculum, please feel free to contact Mrs. Perkus at Cutler School at n.perkus@hwschools.net.

The top five tools to help with self-regulation for our children/students:

• Our children need enough sleep to be “just right” and to help with self-regulation.  Please see the link for specific guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/American-Academy-of-Pediatrics-Supports-Childhood-Sleep-Guidelines.aspx
• Having morning and afternoons routines are important and can help with self-regulation. Please see the next link for ideas to help develop routines.
• https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/Pages/The-Importance-of-Family-Routines.aspx
• No screens (electronics) 30-90 minutes before bedtime. Please see the below link if you would like more information.           
• https://sciencelife.uchospitals.edu/2016/02/17/electronic-devices-kids-and-sleep-how-screen-time-keeps-them-awake/
• Preferred physical activities such as Playing on the playground, bike riding, skating, walking, running, ball games, swimming, karate, Yoga, and organized sports.  This article discusses the importance of exercise. https://fit.webmd.com/kids/move/article/exercise-helps-body
• The following article discusses amount of exercise recommended for children.         https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/kids-and-exercise/faq-20058336

           

Your child/student is generally not in the Red Zone.  In the red zone the brain and the body is generally not talking to each other.  The child/student is out of control.  They often need to stop, but are unsure how.  Some examples of red zone feelings are mad, yelling, hitting, mean, or terrified. Red zone tools help us stay safe and calm down. Below are some examples of tools that students use in the Red Zone when they are in school.  Some of these tools may be helpful at home.

School Red Zone Tools:

Take a break (rest and return area)

Take 3-5 deep breaths

Count

Draw

Read

Drink water

Use a fidget

Shark Fin

Ask for help (Use your words)

Our next blog will focus on more Zone Tools (strategies) that can be used at home and in school. 

If you have any questions about the Zones Curriculum please contact Mrs. Perkus at Cutler School or at n.perkus@hwschools.net.