Activity: Students make fidget toys to try out when they have to wait for something. They learn what the word “fidget” means and have a teacher- led discussion about patience.
Materials: small balloons, two per student (a few extra in case balloons break); empty plastic water bottles filled with rice (this creates a funnel for pouring rice into the balloon); a completed fidget toy for the teacher to use for a demonstration. Note to teachers: extend the activity by using different fill materials, such as: marbles, pom poms, beans, sand, flour, or play dough.
Directions: Explain: “Today’s activity is about patience. We will be making a ‘fidget toy’ that will help us when we have to wait. The word ‘fidget’ means small repetitive movements, especially with the hands and feet. A ‘fidget toy’ is an object you can play with while you have to wait. It can help take your thoughts off the frustrations of waiting and redirect your brain to focus on something else.” Before the activity, use the following prompts and questions to emphasize the importance of learning how to be patient.
(1) Share about your experiences having to wait for something, here at school and at home.
(2) What does the word “patience” mean to you?
(3) What happens when people don’t wait their turn to speak?
(4) What would happen if people didn’t wait in line?
(5) Do you have any strategies that help you wait for something to happen?
(6) Fidget toys can help us wait.
Demonstration: make a rice-filled balloon fidget toy with a student. Show how to put one balloon inside the other, and carefully work with a partner to fill a balloon using the rice-filled water bottle by holding it open. Arrange pairs around a few supply stations where they’ll find the balloons, and water bottles filled with rice. Tell students you will help them tie the balloon if they need help.
After the exercise, students return to their seats and practice manipulating their new fidget toys. Ask students to demonstrate quiet ways to do this, with movements such as squashing, poking, sandwiching, and making a fist around it. Tell students to use it for two minutes (quietly or not talking at all) to test it out. Ask: “You just had to wait 2 minutes. Did the fidget toy help you wait?”
Wrap it up: “Take your fidget toy home and use it the next time you have to wait for something. Think about other things that you could use to help you when you feel impatient and try them out. Share with the class when you have discovered a great strategy that helps with patience!”
Activity: Students make fidget toys to try out when they have to wait for something. They learn what the word “fidget” means and have a teacher- led discussion about patience.
Materials: small balloons, two per student (a few extra in case balloons break); empty plastic water bottles filled with rice (this creates a funnel for pouring rice into the balloon); a completed fidget toy for the teacher to use for a demonstration. Note to teachers: extend the activity by using different fill materials, such as: marbles, pom poms, beans, sand, flour, or play dough.
Directions: Explain: “Today’s activity is about patience. We will be making a ‘fidget toy’ that will help us when we have to wait. The word ‘fidget’ means small repetitive movements, especially with the hands and feet. A ‘fidget toy’ is an object you can play with while you have to wait. It can help take your thoughts off the frustrations of waiting and redirect your brain to focus on something else.” Before the activity, use the following prompts and questions to emphasize the importance of learning how to be patient.
(1) Share about your experiences having to wait for something, here at school and at home.
(2) What does the word “patience” mean to you?
(3) What happens when people don’t wait their turn to speak?
(4) What would happen if people didn’t wait in line?
(5) Do you have any strategies that help you wait for something to happen?
(6) Fidget toys can help us wait.
Demonstration: make a rice-filled balloon fidget toy with a student. Show how to put one balloon inside the other, and carefully work with a partner to fill a balloon using the rice-filled water bottle by holding it open. Arrange pairs around a few supply stations where they’ll find the balloons, and water bottles filled with rice. Tell students you will help them tie the balloon if they need help.
After the exercise, students return to their seats and practice manipulating their new fidget toys. Ask students to demonstrate quiet ways to do this, with movements such as squashing, poking, sandwiching, and making a fist around it. Tell students to use it for two minutes (quietly or not talking at all) to test it out. Ask: “You just had to wait 2 minutes. Did the fidget toy help you wait?”
Wrap it up: “Take your fidget toy home and use it the next time you have to wait for something. Think about other things that you could use to help you when you feel impatient and try them out. Share with the class when you have discovered a great strategy that helps with patience!”
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