Category Archives: occupational therapy

Guest Blog: Top Five Distractions for Children in the Classroom

From Buzzies.

Parents and teachers know that it can be challenging to keep children focused and on task. Classrooms are full of distractions, especially for children with attention deficit disorders or autism spectrum disorders. It is important to understand why children are distracted so that we can create calm and focused learning spaces.

Here are the top five distractions for children in the classroom, according to Neuropsychologist Dr. Amy Serin:

1) internal distractions, internal thoughts, anxiety, etc.
2) sensory sensitivities, too much noise, light, temperature sensitivities, etc.
3) too much sitting still- kids need to move in order to stay focused. Sitting still for too long makes it hard
4) Sudden distractions- loud noises, other kids chatting, etc and
5) Teacher talking too long…kids attention spans are short and teaching in a way that exceeds these spans will mean distractibility because the methods aren’t developmentally appropriate.

Buzzies can help some children to focus by lessening reactivity to sensory distractions and by lowering stress associated with internal thoughts or distractions. Buzzies basic is a version of Buzzies that children can take anywhere and use in the classroom. Buzzies original and Buzzies basic act passively and in real time, they don’ t just buzz to remind a kid to pay attention. There is nothing like Buzzies! Fidget toys, reminders, teacher prompts, etc. all can be helpful but Buzzies work continuously and in real time to help reduce the stress response, which can lead to better focus in some children.

buzzies-img.png

AOTA

Since our blog is so new and I didn’t have a chance to share our experience at AOTA last April, I wanted to do so now. AOTA stands for American Occupational Therapy Association. They have a conference every year and we attended this year. It was very cool. I got to meet and mingle with all the wonderful OT’s. (I was the life of the party) Werecieved some great feedback too. They particularly liked the seamless toe and lack of a heel. The seamless toe doesn’t bother kids with sensory issues and a sock without a heel is easy for any child to slip on. I just love hearing about how SmartKnitKIDS help. It makes me proud to be their front bug.

Above is me in our AOTA booth. I was looking particularly handsome that day. It really was great having the chance to talk to everyone and be at AOTA.

If you’re an OT and would like information about SmartKnitKIDS for your patients, please contact me! I’ll be happy to send a professional resource kit out to you. Please visit us at http://www.smartknitkids.com/professional_resources.html to request a kit today!