🌱 Movement supports regulation
The nervous system relies on sensory input to stay regulated. For some people, remaining still supports focus. For others, movement is essential.
Research in sensory processing shows that tactile and proprioceptive input (touch and movement) can help organise the nervous system, supporting attention and emotional regulation. This is why many people naturally fidget — it’s a way of staying regulated, not avoiding tasks.
🧠 Fidgets aren’t toys — they’re tools
When chosen intentionally, fidgets can:
• support sustained attention
• reduce restlessness
• help manage anxiety or stress
• provide a safe outlet for excess energy
Research suggests that allowing appropriate movement can improve on-task behaviour, particularly for individuals with attention or sensory differences.
🌿 Choosing the right fidget matters
Not all fidgets are helpful in all situations. Some are visually stimulating, while others are tactile or resistance-based.
Effective fidgets are often:
• quiet
• repetitive
• predictable
• easy to use without visual focus
Examples include tactile mazes, putty, textured tools, or simple hand-based movement supports.
🌼 When fidgets help — and when they don’t
Fidgets tend to work best when:
• expectations are clear
• they’re introduced during calm moments
• there’s shared understanding of their purpose
They may be less helpful when:
• they become a source of distraction
• too many options are introduced at once
• they’re used without guidance or boundaries
Like all supports, fidgets benefit from gentle scaffolding and review over time.
🌱 Normalising movement as a support
Research in education and occupational therapy increasingly recognises that movement and learning are connected.
Fidgets don’t replace routines, connection, or skill-building. They simply help create the conditions where regulation and focus are more accessible.
Small tools, when chosen thoughtfully, can make a meaningful difference.
📚 References & Further Reading
- Jensen, E. (2005). Teaching with the Brain in Mind.
https://www.ascd.org/books/teaching-with-the-brain-in-mind
• Occupational Therapy Australia. Sensory processing and regulation.
https://otaus.com.au/understanding-sensory-processing
• American Psychological Association (APA). Self-regulation.
https://dictionary.apa.org/self-regulation
• Understood.org. Why fidgeting can help some kids learn.
https://www.understood.org/articles/en/why-fidgeting-can-help-some-kids-learn