School Principals Concerned That Fidget Spinners May Do More Harm Than Good On Children’s Learning

They are aimed at helping autistic kids cope with fidgeting, but now, fidget spinners have caused worry among principals and health experts for disrupting children’s learning.

The South Australian Primary Principals’ Association has expressed concern that fidget spinners are causing more harm than good on children.

Fidget spinners are the latest craze among kids and are considered the top selling toy online. These are primarily developed for autistic children and people who have trouble focusing or fidgeting by acting as a stress-relieving device.

Pam Kent, president of the South Australian Primary Principals’ Association, says principals are reporting that the devices are doing the exact opposite of what they were originally designed for.

“It is becoming a problem,” Ms Kent said.

“Principals feel they are not being used for the intended purpose of being a sensory tool to help kids with their anxiety and help them engage more in their learning.”

Flinders University occupational therapist Sandra Mortimer agreed saying that there was “nothing as yet to support this tool as a learning tool”. “I think (teachers) would already have a good idea of the kids that it may benefit but also have to function around having 30 kids in the classroom. A lot of these things and this one in particular, I think, is quite disruptive. So the impact might be a challenge for other kids in the room and teachers have to make the call on what will balance those needs best,” she said.

Some schools are now developing ways of setting up an expectation of how and where the gadget is used, such as Prince Alfred College. Neil Andary, the school’s head of preparatory school says fidget spinner will not be banned, but guidelines were developed around their use.

Source: News.com.au