I have kids that can’t sit still during read aloud time. They insist on doing somersaults across the room, jumping on the couch, touching each other and being distracted in general. I know that some kids are just wired this way and can still absorb information. I’m okay with that. I am the one with a problem focusing when they are doing all these things while I try to read. My solution has become fidgets. My kids are now better able to sit in one location and still be “busy” while I read. I check for listening and comprehension often through narration and questions so I know that they aren’t distracted.
Here are a few of the items that we keep in our fidget basket.
Relaxing items–scalp massager, body brush(leftover from brush therapy), bendy wire and who can resist Troll hair!
Zoomorph connecting animals
Zome Tools
Squishy Toys–we love the mice in the cheese!
Keeping hands busy with Unifix cubes, tangle toy, marbles, magic worm, hacky sack, wire puzzle
Etch a Sketch, Mars Mud and Thinking Putty