Do you have a child who fidgets frequently? If so, you may be wondering if there is any way to channel that energy into something productive. According to experts, fidgeting can actually help children to think more creatively. We will explore some of the best fidget toys for stimulating creative thinking in kids. We will also provide some tips for using these toys to encourage creativity.
While we don't know exactly why we fidget, some theories offer explanations. One possibility is that fidgeting is a self-regulation strategy. That is, by moving our bodies and keeping our hands busy, we can focus and pay attention for more extended periods. This theory makes sense, as many people find that they fidget when they are bored or when they need to concentrate on a task. Another theory is that fidgeting provides physiological stimulation that helps stave off boredom or fatigue. This explanation is supported by the fact that people often fidget when they are tired or need a break from sedentary activity. Whatever the reason, fidgeting is a common behavior that often serves a purpose.
This is corroborated by research that showed individuals who were permitted to doodle while listening to a phone call for specifics afterward remembered more information than those who weren't. Additionally, we know that those with ADHD do better on several cognitive tasks when they exhibit more spontaneous physical activity (though no such effect was seen for children without ADHD).
Another research suggests that fidgeting functions as a behavioral stress-reduction strategy. A recent study found that fidgeting can help reduce stress and improve focus. The study was conducted with a group of office workers who were asked to complete a stressful task.
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The workers who engaged in displacement behaviors like fidgeting were less likely to report feeling stressed than those who did not fidget. Additionally, the fidgeters also performed better on a subsequent test of attention and focus. These findings suggest that fidgeting may function as a behavioral stress-reduction strategy. When we feel stressed, our bodies naturally release tension through displacement behaviors like fidgeting. This release of tension helps us refocus our attention and stay calm under pressure.
This brings us to the connection between fidgeting and creative stimulation. Research suggests that it may play a role in stimulating creative thinking.
But how? One theory is that it helps to increase blood flow and oxygen levels in the brain. Another possibility is that it helps break up periods of mental stagnation, giving the mind a much-needed break from routine thinking. Whatever the reason, there's no doubt that fidgeting can be beneficial for creative thinking.
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Examples of fidgets that can aid in creative stimulation
Desktop games and puzzles can assist employees in focusing on their goals at work. Consider this typical scenario: As a meeting drags on, staff members find themselves browsing through their social media feeds, admiring pictures of their families, and leaving comments on friends' status updates. The answer? When one's aural attention span begins to dip, visually focused fidget toys might aid concentration.
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For instance, connecting some of these suckers will engage one's visual demands during a conference call without significantly detracting from their ability to focus on what is being spoken on the phone. Another excellent example of this is the beautiful beechwood stacking blocks. We created these lovely blocks that give your inner artist a chance, drawing inspiration from your imagination. (Advantage: When not used, the stylish blocks make an attractive desktop decoration.)
While thinking about visually-oriented topics, such as spreadsheets or graphs, tactile toys like a pop-it pad or a fidget cube is beneficial (not to mention that they can help make a difficult decision easier). Poppinβ Pipes, which come in both small and large sizes, are entertaining and more inventive ways to quell touch-based boredom, and their distinctive motion can encourage original thought. However, fidget toys don't have to be particularly complex; even a fidget pad may help someone focus on important tasks.
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School-friendly fidgets
There is evidence to support the claim that kids who fidget learn more rapidly than those who do not, even though fidgeting has long been discouraged in classrooms. Fidget toys are wonderful instruments for encouraging the appropriate sort of fidgeting in kids because they combine the development of motor skills with cognitive advantages.
Given that floating attention is a common occurrence, parents and teachers may assist children in concentrating on their tasks by giving them a constructive way to divert their attention. There are many devices that can help children of all ages concentrate at their desks without disturbing their classmates in the next row, even though arming children with unstable towers of brightly colored balancing blocks might not be practical, especially for more serious classroom settings in the upper grades.
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Squishy toys such as stress balls or stretchy strings are excellent choices for the classroom since they don't have many distinct elements that may get misplaced or crash to the floor during class. Other fidgets can be used as lesson aids, such as our range of Poppin Pipes, which can serve as a lesson plan for art classes.
Try using devices that won't divert kids' attention during prolonged whiteboard sessions. Fidget pads are perfect low-distraction toys that keep busy hands at bay. Despite their apparent playfulness, fidget tri-pads and mini sensory strings have more serious uses. These toys would satisfy young children's tactile demands during dry school presentations.
In conclusion, fidgeting can help children to think more creatively. By using the right fidget toys, you can encourage your childβs creativity and help them to learn new skills. We hope that our tips have helped you to choose the best toy for your child. What type of fidget toy will you be trying out first?