Fiddle Focus® Busy Hands

• In a group environment, introduce the Fiddle Focus® for Busy Hands to children by talking about how each square feels different. When offered consistently, only the children who “need” the sensory stimulation to focus and sit gravitate to them. Gentle reminders before, during and praise afterwards is necessary so that children are aware of expectations. Allow children to stroke and rub the fabrics while listening to music based on the beat of the music. Sometimes singing songs while rubbing the textures helps children transition.
• Engage children who are interested in working a puzzle or building with manipulatives to have their Fiddle Focus® for Busy Hands available. Rubbing the textures on their hands, arms and face can be soothing as they attend to working on these types of activities.
• Adults often recognize the signs and signals that can be very discrete in some children when they are beginning to “rumble” or lose control. This includes behaviors such as: making noises, tensing muscles, making rapid movements, refusing to cooperate, tears or fidgeting with items around them. This loss of control can sometimes be re-directed to the Fiddle Focus® for Busy Hands to seek out sensory stimulation to calm themselves.
• One-on-one opportunities with children allow for adults to support language development by talking with the child about how each texture feels while also teaching colors.
• For children that need to build strength in their fingers and hands, rubbing the textures with their fingers and hands allows for opportunities to build these muscle structures.
• During sleep times, offer the Fiddle Focus® for Busy Hands to those children that are constantly seeking sensory stimulation. Tell the child, “Busy Hands stay with you in your bed or on your cot.”  
• Before children line-up or make changes throughout the day in group environments, hand challenging children a Fiddle Focus® for Busy Hands to keep them engaged during transition times.
• Visual schedules that include pictures and use of a Fiddle Focus® for Busy Hands throughout the day may help remind children of what comes next and also address those times when sensory stimulation helps regulate the child’s transitions.  
• When transitioning from home to school or school to home, offer a Fiddle Focus® for Busy Hands while also holding or staying with the child as they settle into this change in their day.
• Be aware of some children’s inability to deal with unwanted sensations. For children that struggle with tactile problems, use of the Fiddle Focus® for Busy Hands may assist in desensitizing a hyper-acute tactile sense. Time, patience and respect for the child’s boundaries is recommended along with guidance from an occupational therapist.

Fiddle Focus® Busy Fingers

• In a group or classroom environment, the Fiddle Focus® for Busy Fingers can be attached to learning areas where the child works. This can include a desk or table area, a reading center or any other areas within the classroom that the child may need to sit and attend to learning activity. In some instances, walking around while stroking the Busy Fingers during class activity (due to it being secured by Velcro®) allows the child to keep it with them if need be.
• In situations where children change classrooms (typical in older environments), teachers have either provided certain desks that have a Fiddle Focus® for Busy Fingers attached OR the child may carry the Busy Fingers from class to class and a Velcro® strip that is the attachment side is provided on the desk where the child sits regularly.
• Attaching the Fiddle Focus® for Busy Fingers to a lap desk allows for the child to work on one learning focus or activity at a time. Not only does this create a defined space with the opportunity to “fiddle” with the materials, the pressure on the legs helps some children to focus better.
• The Fiddle Focus® for Busy Fingers can be attached to a wheelchair arm, a car seat or in other areas where children may be located for periods of time. The “push and feel” allows for the child to have a sensory experience while waiting or in transition to another place or location.
• Adults often recognize the signs and signals that can be very discrete in some children when they are beginning to “rumble” or lose control. This includes behaviors such as: making noises, tensing muscles, making rapid movements, refusing to cooperate, tears or fidgeting with items around them. This loss of control can sometimes be re-directed. This includes offering or reminding the child to find and use the Fiddle Focus® for Busy Fingers to seek out sensory stimulation to calm themselves.
• For children that need to build strength in their fingers and hands, rubbing the textures with their fingers and hands allows for opportunities to build these muscle structures.
• During sleep times, attach the Fiddle Focus® for Busy Fingers to a headboard or sideboard in a bedroom environment. In group care, having the Busy Fingers attached to an area where the child sleeps on their cot allows for them to seek this sensory stimulation.
• Be aware of some children’s inability to deal with unwanted sensations. For children that struggle with tactile problems, use of the Fiddle Focus® for Busy Fingers may assist in desensitizing a hyper-acute tactile sense. Time, patience and respect for the child’s boundaries is recommended along with guidance from an occupational therapist.

Fiddle Focus® Busy Hands & Busy Fingers for Older Populations 

• Attaching the Fiddle Focus® for Busy Fingers to a lap desk (preferably red) allows for the senior to fiddle not only with the textures on the item but also have a “push and feel”. Why red? The color red appears to be the most stimulating color for people with Alzheimer’s disease to perceive.
• The Fiddle Focus® for Busy Fingers can be attached to a wheelchair arm, on the interior of the side of a bed rail or other suitable area that the senior can reach. The “push and feel” provides a sensory experience while waiting or transitioning to another place or location.
• For adults that need to build strength in their fingers and hands, rubbing the textures of the Fiddle Focus® for Busy Hands with their fingers and hands allows for opportunities to work the muscle structures in the hands and arms.
• Attaching a focus to the loop feature provided on the Fiddle Focus® for Busy Hands allows for flexibility in items as well as opportunities to change out sensory stimulation items.
• Use of our products necessitate time, patience and respect for the senior’s boundaries as sensory stimulation varies from adult to adult.