What Are Fidget Spinners And Why Are Kids Freaking Out Over Them?
It’s the hottest toy out right now, but why all the hype?
If you haven’t heard about “fidget spinners”, chances are you don’t have kids or spend your time in elementary schools. They are this season’s hottest toy originally marketed as a tool to help with ADHD, anxiety and even autism. Some even promise “greater concentration” and the opportunity to “bring out that creative genius lying deep within you.”
The small ball-bearing devices are made to spin between fingers, and while I haven’t personally used one it seems as if the sensory experience is what gives it’s user the calming effect. This may explain why kids are begging their parents for fidget spinners, saying that they need them in order to “stay calm” on stressful test days, or to “stay focused” in class.
Ranging anywhere from $3-$15 (they can actually get WAY more expensive) it’s an easy sell for any parent who wants to see their children do better in school, but many are finding out that their kids can’t even bring the toy to school.
As the spinners got more popular, teachers had to start banning them from the classroom because they were becoming a distraction. Which seems like the exact opposite of what they’re meant to do.
Does your kid have a fidget spinner? Do you think it actually works as a tool? Is he/she allowed to bring it to school and use in class?