In classrooms across Cresskill High School, small squishable toys are becoming more and more popular. While some students claim the toys help them focus, the teachers have some mixed opinions. Keep reading to find out. 

Many students say they own a multitude of fidgets and bring them to school regularly. Freshman Gianna Quinn said she has collected quite a few. “Yeah, I have 9 fidgets,” she said, “But I keep a strict school one.”  

Other students have reported similar numbers in their collections. Simone Berger, a freshman, owns 12 fidgets, while other students I interviewed said they had more in the 5-6 range. 

For many of these students, these collections have grown over the span of the last few weeks. Gianna explained that although she’s had her “school fidget” for about a year, the other 8 she got this past month. Freshman Emily Berger said, “I actually just got my whole collection last Tuesday.” 

Students definitely say that the toys keep them focused in class. Gianna said fidgets improve her ability to concentrate in class, and teachers don’t usually comment on her usage of them. However, she has seen other students being asked to put them away. 

Teachers, however, see the situation differently. One of Cresskill’s Spanish teachers, Mr. Friedberg, said he has noticed a slight increase in the number of students with stress balls in class, but he questions how many are actually being used for stress. “I doubt they’re being used for stress. I’m having to tell certain students to stop throwing them.” 

As these little squishies continue to appear on students’ desks, the question persists: are they helpful or harmful?