How to Use a Stress Ball in the Classroom
As a teacher, you know how frustrating it can be when the students in your classroom can't sit still and won't focus. Using stress balls with your students will help them--and you--calm down.
Instructions
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Understanding what stress balls are, who will use them, and how they will be used.
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1
Determine the kind of stress ball you want to use. Stress balls (squishy balls the size of your palm, perfect for squeezing with one hand) come in all shapes and sizes. Though they are usually made out of plastic, you can create your own with children's modeling clay or by filling a balloon with soft material like flour, cornstarch or rice.
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2
Identify the students who need a stress ball. Good candidates are those who you know have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), those with high anxiety, sensory processing disorders, or chronic fatigue, and those who are just fidgety and like to shred paper, poke holes in their binders, make tapping noises on their own desk, or fiddle with items on your desk.
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3
Figure out how you want to store the stress balls, and instruct students on proper stress-ball etiquette. Storing the stress balls in the front of the room makes it easy for students to pick them up and drop them off. Students need to understand that the balls should be squeezed in a way that does not distract other students. Under the desk is the best place for students to hold and work with the stress ball; the next best place is on the desk with the hand resting on top. Students should not wave the balls in the air or toss them around.
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4
Explain to students when and how they should use the ball. They should squeeze it when they're having a hard time focusing, when they find it difficult to control their body movements, or when they feel sleepy. Squeezing the ball will help activate their senses and positively channel the extra energy that can often turn into verbal sounds, noises, and excessive movement. Your students will be more likely to pay attention to your lessons and less likely to draw attention to themselves. You will notice that they exhibit more on-task behaviors and you will find yourself interrupted less frequently, reducing the stress level of everyone in the classroom.
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