If you’ve spent any time around elementary school classrooms lately, you may have noticed some students sitting on weird looking cushions covered in nubs, bumps, or interesting textures. These are called fidget cushions, and they are gaining popularity as a tool to help kids who struggle with attention and focus.
The basic idea behind fidget cushions is that some kids simply need to move and wiggle a bit while working in order to stay focused and alert. Rather than stifling that natural instinct by forcing them to sit ramrod straight and motionless, a fidget cushion allows controlled movement and tactile stimulation that can actually improve concentration.
“For kids who have a lot of energy and find it difficult to sit still, a fidget cushion gives them an outlet for that pent-up fidgeting in a way that doesn’t distract others,” explains elementary school teacher Jill Anderson. “I’ve definitely seen fidget cushions help some of my students stay on task better during lessons and quiet work time.”
How Fidget Cushions Work Fidget cushions come in many different styles and textures, but most share a few common features:
- Bumpy or grooved textures that provide tactile stimulation when touched, prodded, or leaned upon
- Inflated or unstable surfaces that require subtle muscle engagement and movement to maintain balance
- Soft, malleable materials that can be squeezed, stretched, or manipulated with the hands
The idea is that these cushions enable kids to release some of their physical restlessness through small, controlled movements and tactile manipulation. By meeting that need for minor fidgeting and motion, it actually becomes easier to stay still and focused during work periods.
Research Shows Promise for Certain Students While the research is still somewhat limited, several studies show potential benefits of fidget toys and cushions for students with attention issues:
- A study from the University of California found that students who used a “disc-o-sit” style inflated cushion showed better overall attention and more on-task behavior compared to traditional chairs.
- Research from an Israeli elementary school indicated that hyperactive kids improved their sustained attention and motivation when using an inflated cushion, while non-hyperactive kids did not show significant differences.
- A small study of students with ADHD showed that fidget objects reduced physical restlessness and improved focus on instructional material.
“For the kids who really struggle to stay seated for long periods, a fidget cushion is a simple, unobtrusive tool to allow some movement and organize that extra energy in a less distracting way,” notes educational therapist Janet Bradley.
Not a Magic Solution for All Of course, fidget cushions are not a silver bullet that will instantly transform all students into laser-focused scholars. In many cases, traditional cushions and chairs remain preferable for kids who don’t have significant attention or hyperactivity issues.
“You don’t want to put every student on a fidget cushion and think that’s a cure-all,” cautions Anderson. “It’s just one option that some teachers choose to make available for the kids who seem to respond well to it.”
Even experts who are optimistic about fidget cushions caution that they should be considered one piece of a broader approach to helping kids focus. Things like breaks, physical activity, reducing distractions, and rewards systems remain crucial and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Additionally, Bradley notes that it’s important to give kids a choice and let them gravitate towards the tools that work for them. “A cushion or chair isn’t a straitjacket, so don’t force a fidget cushion on a kid who insists they concentrate better without it.”
Give It a Try for the Right Students While fidget cushions certainly haven’t been a magic solution in the classrooms that have experimented with them, the early research suggests they could provide a useful option for certain types of students.
For kids who exhibit a lot of physical restlessness and have trouble remaining seated and on-task, a bumpy or inflated cushion seems to be worth a try, either on its own or combined with other focusing strategies.
“It doesn’t work for everyone, but for those kids who just can’t stop moving, a fidget cushion gives them a low-key way to wiggle and fidget that doesn’t disturb anyone,” sums up Anderson.
In a world where more and more kids seem to struggle with focus and attention issues, any relatively low-cost and unobtrusive tool like a fidget cushion is worth considering as part of an overall strategy to help students channel their energy into productive learning.