Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments what can he do with hands at school? when bored

last year at school my DS9 sharpened many pencils down to little bits.
His desk was a mess. He also played with little erasers and stuff. His teacher was very tolerant and tried to work with him on this but no success. I think she understood to a certain point how bored he was.

I suggest to him he us a stress ball this year. He rejected the idea. I was excited to think of this and didn't approach it right - like offering choices or letting him come up with ideas. I'm going to try again.

Does anybody have ideas of what he could do with his hands? It can't be too distracting or messy.

How 'bout something like this?

Tangle Toys


I thought of this because I picked one up in the checkout aisle at some big box place, and I like messing around with it. I had no idea they recommend this for school use until I checked the website.

My ds9 has been known to cover his desk with drawings. The teacher didn't mind at first but it did get a bit out of hand, so I sent in a notebook. At first I thought this was reasonable, then I worried it would be offensive, then I found out she was ok with it, and I think it helped.
This might take a bit of chatting with the teacher about, but doodling has been shown to keep a mind just available for collecting the important new bits of a lecture, and that people pick up more, not less, if they are allowed to doodle.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7912671.stm


We just found these little sticks at a restaurant, which I think are pretty cool, 'wikki stix', they are bit of thread covered in slightly sticky wax, a couple of sticks might go all day, making different shapes, etc. Ds9 really likes them and made a bunch of little star wars fighters (tie-fighter, x-wing,etc). I think you can buy them online. Seems like it would be comparable to doodling, again if the teacher is willing...

ps, the tangle toys look really cool St. Pauli!

My kids love cat's cradle type string games. They're quiet, but possibly distracting to others. Fun for recess, too.

tangle toys might just be the thing. thanks

I used to make friendship bracelets (embroidery floss, knotting) during staff meetings so that I could pay attention to all that information and talking. If that would be of interest but concerning due to gender norms in class (although I find the whole idea of "boy hobbies" and "girl hobbies" to be silliness), then maybe these could be made for some purpose like fund raising or donation that would "legitimize" it.

Sometimes schools will allow the child to chew gum or suck on hard candies (sugarless, of course) as part of a 504 plan or IEP. My son had a 'squeezy apple' in 2nd grade, and the teacher was very upset that he poked many holes into it with his pencils and basically destroyed it. I asked DS if he couldn't just squeese it, and he said that he had so much anger inside that squeezing wasn't enough. Ah, 2nd grade! That was his worst years ever.

I think that there are therapudic clays that are a bit like silly putty that might help. Also clear tube pencil toppers for chewing. you can browse:
www.southpawenterprises.com

I like the idea of a bead on a leather strap or key chain for some discrete chewing or fingering.

BTW here are some books that 'cheer one on' when the task is negotiation with a difficult child:

Ross W Greene The Explosive Child
and
http://www.thinkingpreteen.com/myrnashure.htm

I know it isn't easy!

Smiles,
Grinity

We tried a squishy star with DSthen7 in the spring of second grade. I too was very excited to have thought of it, but as it turned out, DS was already sinking into "I don't want to be different," so even though I sent a dozen stars to class to be shared with other kids, it never took off and DS rarely used it.

I like the doodling idea, and (assuming we see the same problems in 3rd grade, only magnified) will keep it in mind. Thanks!

too bad I can't go back in time and tell this to some of my high school teachers!!!

I was going to suggest a notebook for doodling or writing too. Since the teacher is aware of the boredom, can she not give him other things to do to keep him challenged? What about having him research something in an encyclopedia or book or something about a lesson they are working on?

The school is working with me to give ds9 some challenges. He will do above grade Math and reading, extra writing and math workbook available when finished work early, and independent studies later this year. I think he gets much information quickly so all the review is hard for him.

I made some of the suggestions from here. Teacher says hold off, she is trying to get him to look at the board. She feels that a manipulative may distract him or others. He has been using a pencil grippy as to fidget with so we are going to stick with that for now. I am glad he found his own solution of something that looks like it belongs in class. DS has also expressed he might feel weird to have a manipulative in class. I told him about my note to teacher with suggestions. I said if it's weird I don't have to send it to teacher. He insisted I do send it in but these were definitely not his ideas. (This ex. clearly shows my consent challenge: help him but try to make the solution his idea) The Grippy may be helping him.

If only our children could research their own solution or have a discussion board like this. Perhaps, that's riddled with problems. It's a weird thought.

It seems this teacher has a smart idea, She is making the student get up and walk around the class each time they hand in a page one at a time. What a great idea - Let children move. I'm feeling hopeful.