Spinners: Should you care about the toy of the moment?

In times of cell phones and tablets with the latest technology, the trinket of the moment couldn’t be simpler: a kind of plastic star, with a hole at each end, capable of turning according to the strength and way of who handles it. . You may have seen them around by now: called finger spinners or hand spinnersthis kind of spinning top 2.0wins over children and teenagers for its simplicity.

Just give it a push and it stays spinning for up to four minutes. The challenge is precisely to achieve the best performance of the toy. “Young people challenge each other with different maneuvers and moves to beat their peers and their own records🇧🇷 Just like yo-yos, which were a rage among children in the past, the finget spinner is the craze of the moment”, explains pedagogue and maternal consultant Ana Flávia Andreoli, from São Paulo.

Problem: The experience is so addictive, which he’s already slipped into his school bag, causing parents to worry about the potential distraction. At Colégio Franciscano Pio XII, in São Paulo, the spinners are prohibited during class, but not in high school. “Use is permitted, but restricted to the time of entry, exit, recreation and playful moments, such as on Fridays called ‘Toy Day’”, says Rosimeire Aparecida Vicente, the institution’s educational advisor.

Another possible way is to include the spinners in the list of teaching materials for disciplines such as physics and mathematics. “That’s where the teachers’ versatility and creativity come in, mixing the seriousness and importance of the contents with fun, making learning even more interesting”, suggests Andreoli.

therapeutic effect

Therapeutic application in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, on the other hand, has no proven effect🇧🇷 “Getting a young person with ADHD to focus on something that moves is simple but not productive; as there are no long-term repercussions. This toy does not regulate the attentional system, which is what really needs to be worked on in these cases”, argues Álvaro Bilbao, neuropsychologist and author of the book The Child’s Brain Explained to Parentsto El País.

Ideally, as in all other recreational and educational activities, Parents supervise practice—especially younger ones. “At the time of purchase, it is essential to be aware that this object does not reduce stress levels or treat illnesses. Afterwards, be careful that the game does not become an addiction and the children do not stop interacting with their peers because of it”, concludes Ana Flávia Andreoli.