Community Chat

[makena]

I can't believe the things people will rush to buy.  Someone is making a fortune.  I can see kids being fascinated by these things.  But this 30+ year old in our office has one and plays with it all day and it squeaks.  He plays video games with his feet up on his desk on his break.  He has some kind of nasal issue and refuses to use a tissue.  He wipes his nose with his hand.  Ugh.  The sounds that come from him are nauseating. 

These fidgit things are said to be relaxing to the person using them.  What about the people around you who have to listen to it.  It's nerve-wracking and distracting.  Like watching someone who has a nervous condition and their constantly shaking their leg.  I wish someone would tell him to leave his toys at home.   

[Kachina624]

People will probably buy them like crazy and put them away for Christmas gifts.  By Christmas, they'll be long forgotten relics. 

[on the bay]

I just watched a news story about the dangers of these-one girl almost died as the bearing shot into her mouth and another mother told of her 3 year old who had it in his bed and the ball bearing had come out-luckily she found it in time.

There were other reports of children ending up in er because of their injuries from these "toys"

[makena]

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@on the bay wrote:

I just watched a news story about the dangers of these-one girl almost died as the bearing shot into her mouth and another mother told of her 3 year old who had it in his bed and the ball bearing had come out-luckily she found it in time.

There were other reports of children ending up in er because of their injuries from these "toys"

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I've already heard of a 9-year old who choked on a piece.  I'm sure 9 is old enough not to put it in your mouth.  Now come the lawsuits.

[on the bay]

It wasn't a case of someone putting it in their mouth but the ball bearing flying out and either hitting them or in the case of the girl who almost died, landing in her throat. The mother wanted to warn other mothers.

[Cakers3]

The problem with these spinners is that there are multiple manufacturers with varying minimum age recommendations.

One even says "infants" to adults.

[lolakimono]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

People will probably buy them like crazy and put them away for Christmas gifts.  By Christmas, they'll be long forgotten relics. 

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@Kachina624

Probably the same people who buy the FlashPad! 

[Noel7]

They have been used for quite some time to help autistic and ADD kids learn to concentrate.

[missy1]

I just played with one. Nothing exciting about it.  I could see where autistic children might enjoy the repetitiveness.

[wildcat fan]

I confiscated 3 today.  Some of my co-workers have totally banned them in their classrooms; they confiscate and leave in front office for parents to pick up.  The ones I took were from kids who have not submitted any ADHD/ADD paperwork, and I returned them at the end of the day.

The worst ones light up and make buzzing sounds as they spin.  Some sound like my son's old remote control cars. 

I've told them as long as it's quiet and spinning in a way that's not a distraction (like under their desks), they can use it.  However, most of my students have their work on their desk, but their arms are raised high above their heads spinning the fidget while their eyes are fixated on the fidget instead of their work.  Next thing I know several students are watching it and one will usually ask to try while I'm telling them to focus on their work.  Other students complain about the noise and distraction.  One of the noisiest light-up fidgets is operated by an ADHD student whose mother made 3 appearances this week demanding that her child have the right to use one and complaining about the teachers who banned it.  I think the fidget has negatively impacted this child's ability to pay attention, but with 2 weeks left in the school year, this just isn't a can of worms I want to open.  Hopefully, the child will grow tired of it over the summer so next year's teachers won't have to deal with it.

I wish our school would put out a policy like a few have done!

Today I noticed the articles about choking hazards.  They do come apart easily.  At any given time, parts will be rolling across the floor.  There are little rings about the size of a dime that can pop off.  I saw an article today recommending them for ages 12 and up.