Monday, October 23, 2017

What's the Deal With These Fidget Spinners?

You may have noticed a new trend.  Fidget Spinners. They are very popular with students across America right now, but some adults are starting to buy into the fascination with them as well.  You may be aware that "fidgets" are tools designed to help some students focus or concentrate better while sitting in class, listening to a presentation, or just chilling out.  For some it creates a sense of relaxation or calmness.


Fidget Spinners: What They Are, How They Work and Why the Controversy
Fidget Spinner's are all the craze right now.
Click to Read Article
There is some science behind fidgeting or tapping your foot, messing with jewelry or your hair while you listen or concentrate on a task.  It's called self-regulation.  Most of us have a little quirk that helps us focus, some are just more noticeable than others.  

I admit, I have caved to the fidget spinner craze by purchasing 2 for my daughters this past summer.  They were wildly popular for a period of time but now I just see them sitting by their beds.  Once in a while, they will pick them up and spin them around and around but the hype has disappeared.  Perhaps part of it is that I would not allow them to take them to school, church, or while visiting friends.  They were to be used at home or in the car only.  

A friend of mine explains fidget spinners best, they are fun if you are using them, but to watch others using them, they are super annoying.  She is right.  I cringe when I see kids playing around with them, but spinning it around for a few minutes myself is kind of fun.  

I don't see fidget spinner around school very much right now.  It seems that last spring and over the summer they were all over the place.  They have very much just been a phase which makes me wonder what the next "gadget" will be...