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9 yr old boy- read aloud activities


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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!)

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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 by Lori D.
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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.

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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
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