I know I am not alone when I say that I struggle to sit through staff meetings without doodling on my paper, shifting in my seat, getting up to use the bathroom and occasionally whispering with my teacher friend next to me. Now, these are every other week, and only for an hour. Every time I leave, I think, “How are kids expected to do it all day?!?”
Teaching in an inclusion classroom, I have several students that struggle with hyperactivity and attention. Regardless of whether these struggles stem from a larger learning disability, are part of a complex sensory profile, or from psychological trauma, it can impact their ability to learn and feel successful in the classroom.
Today I thought I would share some of the strategies I have learned to support these kiddos (and all kiddos) in my classroom! Here are my 10 WAYS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH HYPERACTIVITY & ATTENTION NEEDS!
You have probably seen them used in Pilates classes, but they work great for wrapping around the legs of chairs. It helps with those wriggly legs and keeps them from unintentionally kicking their desk (and their peers!) When they sit in their chair, they place their feet behind the Thera-Band and try and pull their legs forward (it’s really hard to do!) It is a great way for them to expend energy, and helps them keep a safe body in the classroom. (And Yes! We wear slippers in my classroom… I like to be comfortable while I read and take in information, so I figure I should let my kids do the same!)
2. Move-and-Sit Cushions
When I taught first grade, I had over a dozen of these in my classroom. It helps students get sensory input as they sit, because the slightest movement causes a great shift in balance. It gives students the feeling of a lot of movement without it distracting those around them. I like to make them available to all of my students, because these cushions are great for developing core strength (a great combatant to the wriggles!)
I used to use fidget toys in our meeting area, but even with consistent previewing and modeling, they often became toys and projectiles. Now I use weighted balls, and it has alleviated many of the issues I had with fidget toys. Students sit criss-cross and place the ball in their lap. It helps them to feel grounded in their place, while providing sensory input. They are allowed to lift it with the arms, but only to their chest and back. They are generally too heavy for them to move more than that, and I no longer find things flying across our meeting area in the middle of our discussion. I got mine from the exercise department at Marshall’s.
4. Stability Ball Chairs
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE using stability/yoga balls in the classroom. Like move-and-sit cushions, they are great for providing the feeling of movement with limited distraction, while simultaneously developing core strength. However, with some students, their mobility posed a problem. Even with the donut rings at the base, or the built in legs, there are some students that will bounce their way into the hallway. If this has happened to you, you know how frustrating this is as the teacher…and then, you feel horrible because you know they WANT to do what’s right, but they physically can’t! These chairs have made a huge difference! They run on the expensive side, but I have purchased all of mine from Craigslist for very cheap! A quick clean, and you have a great way to give your students all the benefits of the yoga ball, while keeping them to a fixed location.
5. Fidget Pencil Toppers
These are amazing for students who need something to play with while listening to directions at their tables or desks. I also find it a helpful focus tool for students while they are brainstorming ideas independently. They are also really easy to transfer from one pencil to another!
6. Chewable Pencil Toppers
For schools where chewing gum isn’t allowed (or you just hate finding gum stuck under desks!) these chewable pencil toppers are great focus tools! Chewing is a great way to give students the sensory input they are seeking while they work. They chew and think, write s