battlemaiden Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 We are ramping up our read alouds here, and my youngest (9) has SUCH a hard time sitting through the readings. He's the shooting-noises, tapping-moving-all-the-time sort of kid. He WANTS to listen, but he can't concentrate while sitting still. He doesn't draw. He doesn't lego (totally a verb). He wasn't thrilled with the idea of an exercise ball. He *did* light up at the idea of Play-doh. I've been googling, but most of the results are for really young kids. What has worked for you kids at that age? Thanks! ~Jo (I haven't posted here in forEVAH!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battlemaiden Posted February 16, 2018 Author Share Posted February 16, 2018 My profile is clearly out-of-date. :001_cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
three4me Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 Fidget spinner or one of those maze ball things? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 (edited) We kept a basketful of *quiet* fidget toys for DSs to choose from during read-alouds. It included things like: - koosh balls - Klixx - Tangle - magnets - pipe cleaners - stress balls - "Chinese finger cuffs" - small metal slinky - bendy toys And yes, they used these things from about age 8 to about age 12-13. Some of the best things were household "found fidgets" -- like paper clips, or a broken necklace chain and a dog tag chain that "flowed" into the hand. Or abandoned hair elastic bands (not "girly ones") that DS would wear like an arm band and roll them up and down his arm. Depending on what type of sensory or motion needs your DS has you might check out chewie fidgets, weighted blanket, foot fidgets, seat disc, etc. Here's a "fidget toy" pack. Lots more ideas in these past threads: "I need ideas for keeping hands busy during read alouds" "At home ideas for sensory seeking kids" "Fidgets for pre-teens?" "6yo keeps chewing non-food items" -- chewie fidget ideas Good luck with finding what works for your wiggly one! Warmest regards, Lori D. Edited February 16, 2018 by Lori D. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 Theraputty is the more hip choice, the upgrade on playdough for that age. He can just play with it, make letters, find objects hidden in it, whatever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vernal Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 Thinking Putty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 Incorporation. When my kid's hands work with his mind, we get better results. Find something in the story to bring alive - a skill, an art, a map...and do it. We're reading the Secret Garden currently. During reading time, ds is mapping out a route from India to England, learning to skip rope, tending to our little pots of flowers & vegetables, eating a baked potato, looking for wild animals...none of these things are particularly hard or taxing leaving his brain free for the book. When I simply can't incorporate activities I use a captive audience. I read over breakfast and lunch, and then have him take a break to play after while I eat. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stibalfamily Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 Here's my list Wood Blocks Bristle Blocks Lincoln Logs Marble Run Tinker Toys K’Nex Magna-tiles Magnets Play-Stix Shape Connectors Wedgits Snap Circuits Zoob Cuisenaire Rods Pattern Blocks Tangrams Patterning Beads Patterning Unifix Cubes Sorting Puzzles Mazes Geoboards Gears & Pulleys Sensory Bin Water Beads Marbles Lacing Cards Peg Boards Cars/ Toys Play Dough Clay Playfoam Spirograph Painting Coloring Drawing Washable Daubers Collage Art Sticker Books Felt Boards Etch A Sketch Magna Doodle Shape sorter Weave/ Rainbow Loom Beads Stamps Cutting Stencils Scratch Art Snack Lunchtime Snuggle Sidewalk chalk when outside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calli Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 We do our read alouds during lunch or breakfast so he's busy eating. Audible and Librivox help so you can eat too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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