Anonymous wrote:To be used as a fidget during academic times, or be used as a toy during breaks when they aren't allowed to share things or interact with peers?

Those are two very different things, and I'd make different suggestions.

+1 OP I don't care what the teacher said to you. One way to put it to your kid is that if he is looking at it during instructional time, it's not a fidget, it's a toy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We bought a fuzzy pencil case for her to pet.

What a cute idea! And practical!

This is a great idea. Or a flip sequin bag would work too. I like flipping those!

Fidget toy: Something to keep their hands busy (think movable parts, squishable, fuzzy or bump)

Not fidget toy: coloring book, dolls, action figures

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's a fidget, the school usually has specific ideas. We are doing a small fist full of modeling clay that we will throw out at the end of the day. That's consistent with the 504. But a stress ball, small bean bag (like half the size of a corn hole bean bag), wikki stixs...work.

If it's a toy, then whatever small figurine, small car, small paw patrol animal...fits in the kid's fist. Nothing too big. Something that can go in the pocket. I would NOT send the child's lovey or something they absolutely cannot live without, if they lose it.

Good luck!

I think you need to be careful that whatever it is doesn't cause a mess. Modeling clay, while fun, can get messy when bits fall on the floor and then get stepped on. That really makes the jobs of the custodians more difficult. And the balls can be thrown which are a potential problem. I think you need to stick with little figurines or the coloring books or something.

So a thing about disabilities and 504s is that sure modeling clay or a stress ball may be annoying, but the kid has a disability and gets an accommodation. If you are the annoyed, ableist teacher, I hope you do better.

Wow. Having an accommodation doesn't mean that you get to make choices that are bad for other people. Having an accommodation means that you receive supports necessary to help you perform your personal best.

If there is an alternative to modeling clay, which is messy and greatly increases the work of the custodians, then something else should be chosen unless the child is going to clean up the space him or herself.

And if the child does not possess the self-control sufficient to keep the stress ball to him- or herself and not throw it, then it is a bad choice because it sets up the kid to get into trouble and be reprimanded. Additionally the safety of the other children in the classroom is important.

The point is that you can make better choices than modeling clay and balls. Choices that don't cause extreme work for others or jeopardize the safety of the other children in the classroom.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's a fidget, the school usually has specific ideas. We are doing a small fist full of modeling clay that we will throw out at the end of the day. That's consistent with the 504. But a stress ball, small bean bag (like half the size of a corn hole bean bag), wikki stixs...work.

If it's a toy, then whatever small figurine, small car, small paw patrol animal...fits in the kid's fist. Nothing too big. Something that can go in the pocket. I would NOT send the child's lovey or something they absolutely cannot live without, if they lose it.

Good luck!

I think you need to be careful that whatever it is doesn't cause a mess. Modeling clay, while fun, can get messy when bits fall on the floor and then get stepped on. That really makes the jobs of the custodians more difficult. And the balls can be thrown which are a potential problem. I think you need to stick with little figurines or the coloring books or something.

So a thing about disabilities and 504s is that sure modeling clay or a stress ball may be annoying, but the kid has a disability and gets an accommodation. If you are the annoyed, ableist teacher, I hope you do better.

Anonymous wrote:We bought a fuzzy pencil case for her to pet.

What a cute idea! And practical!