I’ve never been the trendiest person around. Just recently, I finally decided to invest in those buttery-soft leggings everyone raves about. I had no clue that bottle flipping was a widespread phenomenon until I had to repeatedly tell my kids to stop before they drenched the living room. And don’t even get me started on Orbeez—I’m still baffled by their popularity.
Most often, I discover the latest crazes through fellow parents venting about them on social media. You know what I mean? I’m usually late to the party, only learning about these trends after they’ve annoyed every parent within earshot. So, it was no shock when I first caught wind of fidget spinners last week after seeing several parents mention them online, a neighbor’s kid spinning one in the car, and then my son declaring he simply had to have one—despite the fact that fidget spinners have been around for ages.
What Are Fidget Spinners?
For those who, like me, are a bit behind the times, let me break it down. (Do people even use “break it down” anymore?) Fidget spinners aren’t merely a passing fad; they have been utilized as sensory tools for children on the autism spectrum or those dealing with anxiety, ADHD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder for quite some time. Similar to stress balls, fidget spinners provide busy hands something to do, allowing kids to focus better. Essentially, they do exactly what their name implies—they spin. You hold the disk between your fingers and let the petals whirl around.
I can’t quite explain why they are effective, but they are. Just trust me on that.
Fidget Spinners for Adults
Interestingly, fidget spinners aren’t just for kids. A recent article in Forbes highlighted how adults are also drawn to them. Rather than chewing on your nails or tapping your foot incessantly, why not spin a stylish fidget spinner? However, unlike the $10 to $20 versions aimed at kids, the adult-oriented spinners can set you back a couple of hundred bucks.
Mental health experts have long advocated for similar toys. Believe it or not, Dr. Sarah Mitchell pointed out that the Slinky is one of the oldest fidget toys around. Who knew? Although fidget spinners and their counterparts aren’t exactly new, their popularity has surged in recent months. The Fidget Cube, which is basically the luxury version of a fidget spinner, was the ninth-most funded project on Kickstarter, raising nearly $6.5 million. Forbes even dubbed fidget spinners the “must-have office toy for adults” in 2017.
A Personal Experiment
Turns out, fidget spinners were a well-kept secret until now. Curious about the hype, I ordered one from Amazon recently to see if it could help my older son, who sometimes struggles with focus and staying still. He’s neurotypical but still tends to fidget and leap from one activity to the next. Instead of sitting at a desk like his classmates, he prefers standing at a table. So, I thought, why not give the fidget spinner a shot?
When my son was at school, I decided to take it for a spin (get it?), and I must say, there is something strangely captivating about it. It’s just a spinning disk, but I found it oddly soothing. For a brief moment, the chaos in my mind quieted, and I felt a sense of calm wash over me.
That is, until my son got home and the fidget spinner became the source of endless distraction. In just six hours, I had to intervene in 15 disputes between him and his brother over whose turn it was. I threatened to confiscate it 97 times. He spins it everywhere—at home, during meals, and even in public. While it may help him find focus, it’s driving me absolutely bonkers.
The Classroom Chaos
And I’m not alone in my frustration. Many parents and teachers are equally exasperated. The sudden rise in fidget spinner popularity means kids who don’t need them for mental health reasons are using them as mere toys, creating even more distractions in classrooms. It’s a classic case of anything in excess becoming annoying—whether it’s bottle flipping or fidget spinning.
As for whether the fidget spinner truly aids my son’s concentration during reading or homework, the verdict is still out. One thing is for sure, though: I might need to get my own fidget spinner just to cope with the distractions it’s bringing into our home.
Further Reading
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Conclusion
In summary, fidget spinners are not just a passing trend, but they have become both a source of fascination and distraction for kids and parents alike. While their potential for aiding focus remains debated, the real challenge may lie in managing the chaos they create at home.
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