By Mattie Hurt

Staff Writer

    NeeDohs have taken social media by storm, making their way into homes, schools, and daily routines everywhere. These squishy, stress-relieving toys have had a major influence around the world and have even made a home in R.J. Reynolds classrooms, helping students learn in a more peaceful environment.

   While the concept of the stress ball dates back decades, the NeeDoh brand saw a massive rise to fame during the 2020 pandemic when students needed something to help them focus while learning from home. Post-pandemic, the trend died down for a time, and many pushed the squishy toys to the back of their drawers.

    “I first used NeeDohs during the pandemic as a way to entertain myself and stop me from wanting to go on my phone, but after going back to school, they were a lost cause,” Catherine Wenker, a sophomore at RJR, said. 

    However, as most trends do, NeeDohs came back with a bang towards the end of last year. Many students now use them to maintain focus in the classroom and manage stress during challenging lessons.

    “I carry sensory toys because they keep me busy in class and help me focus,” Wenker said.

    Students aren’t the only ones interested in these sensory toys–teachers are, too! Some staff members use NeeDohs to stay calm and teach to their fullest potential. 

    “I have pretty high ADHD levels, so I’ve used them at different times and just found that they allow me to focus better,” Gerret Russ, an EC teacher at RJR, said. “They’ve just helped me in my general day to day focus and be able to do my job better.”

    While some might view sensory toys as a distraction or an excuse to have a “toy” in the classroom, many don’t realize the benefit they provide during long lectures.

    “I don’t think they’re very distracting. I feel like if you’re making it a point to be a distraction then it is, but if you keep it to yourself, it’s no problem,” Wenker said. “I feel like I can focus more in class because teachers sometimes lecture for a while and tend to get bored.” 

    Viewing sensory toys more as a legitimate tool rather than a tool could help foster a more inclusive environment. When teachers provide these tools, it can build a different connection, helping the student feel understood and seen in their learning environment.

    “Sometimes I have spares on me as well. I let people borrow it for a moment, or I even sometimes will bring them in for a student to take home, which really puts a smile on their face,” Russ said.

    NeeDohs have helped provide a sense of security in classrooms at times of discomfort. Hopefully, over the coming years, they will become a normalized classroom staple rather than being dismissed. Welcome back, NeeDohs!