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Some teachers see benefits of Fidget Spinners in class

Posted at 5:14 PM, May 03, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-03 17:14:05-04

If you have a child, you know Fidget Spinners are all the rage right now.

The question is, are they just a fad toy or as some claim much more?  In some cases they are being advertised as a great tool for children who struggle to pay attention.

At Conant Elementary in Bloomfield Hills some teachers appreciate them.

“It is kind of like the ball seats we have in class,” said Caitlin Martin, a Third Grade Teacher. “You will see some of the children sitting on balls.”

Martin says one of the biggest challenges is helping kids pay attention when they want to move around. Several students sit on large balls at their desks in her classroom.

“It keeps their body engaged, and moving around. In third grade, as a transition from 2nd grade, we do a lot more sitting still,” said Martin.

The fidget spinner seems to do the same for some children.  Principal Nick Russo says the district has plans to buy some fidget spinners for some children who have a hard time sitting still to use. The key is teaching children how to use them appropriately, so they aren’t a distraction.

“It helps,” said Stephan Harris, a third grader.