The Rise of Sensory Toys in Schools
In the early 2020s, sensory and fidget toys like Pop-Its and simple dimples quickly became a household item for many. Due to COVID-19, many children were stuck at home, and playing with these fidget toys became a trendy thing to do. According to ASI Central, sensory toys skyrocketed during the pandemic.
In many stores, there are now people looking for specific trending fidget brands like NeeDohs or dumpling squishies, primarily from Five Below. This comes from sensory toy-related content across TikTok where they are shown. However, some might be difficult to find, as people and dedicated squishy hunters are quick to buy the specific brands.
Throughout the years, people went from basic fidget spinners to advanced squishy toys that are sold today. For example, a slow-rise butter squishy recently went viral because it looked and smelled like an actual stick of butter.
“During classwork, whenever I squish my NeeDoh, it helps me focus and concentrate. My inspiration was somebody else using a NeeDoh because it helped them focus,” said sophomore Katherine Acosta. Sensory toys like NeeDohs help other students focus on the work that is given in class.
Sensory toys not only help with stress relief but also work as physical therapy for certain people who need it, like those with arthritis. It relieves muscular tension, increases joint flexibility, and improves grip.
While it could be used for physical therapy, it could also be used by people with certain conditions like ADHD or autism. People with ADHD, who have trouble concentrating and tend to be full of energy, may find sensory toys useful as they improve their concentration and reduce restlessness. According to UC Davis Health, fidgeting is a common trait of ADHD, and found that fidgeting improves cognitive performance among children with ADHD.
However, some sensory toys can be a big distraction in different aspects. Fidgeting with a fidget in class may lead to students focusing on the fidget more than the class, and also be used to reduce boredom in class rather than being active in class. In certain cases, it can also cause side conversations during class between students discussing the squishy, leading to losing focus. Some sensory toys, like pop tubes, are loud, which can become a distraction to others.
“Clicking, or making other noises, can be distracting for me, like when my sister kept squishing a fidget; it overstimulated me,” said Miami Gardens resident Anabel Medina. While other sensory toys may help other people focus, they could also distract others with the noise.
Furthermore, sensory toys are also not for everyone and may not work the same way they do for others. For example, every person has a different sensory preference; some may think sensory toys are uncomfortable or annoying, while others may believe they’re stress-relieving and satisfying. Therefore, others may prefer a different way of improving their focus and attention.
The trending sensory toys could also be negative because, since they are popular, people may see them and buy them immediately without actually finding a use for them. This can lead to people making the wrong financial decisions for something they do not actually need or want.
Sensory toys have been around for all of our lives and have evolved in many different ways. As future generations learn more about them, they will likely remain valuable classroom tools.
