ARK's Blog

Does bite mark indentations on every pencil sound familiar? Fingernails that are bitten down and potentially bleeding? Sleeves or shirt collars with holes in them? This is very common!

Why? There could be many reasons behind chewing for both kids and adults, the main one being stress and anxiety. As we look ahead to the new school year starting next month for many kids, it's important to note that school can actually be a big stressor for many students, with lots of new experiences, transitions, and expectations to manage.

New teachers.
New friends.
New classrooms.
New routines.
New classes.
New experiences.
New expectations.

The list goes on. It's a LOT of "new" and a lot to absorb, and especially all at once in the beginning of the school year.

Chew tools can be incredibly important sensory aids to help students navigate this newness and stay regulated both at school and before/after, providing them with the support they need to focus and learn throughout the day. Sensory resources like chew tools can be especially beneficial for students who have Autism, ADHD, and other sensory processing differences, helping them to regulate their emotions, manage anxiety, and stay engaged.

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The Benefits of Oral Sensory Aids

Why are chew tools helpful in a learning environment? They can pack a whole host of benefits that can range from student to student, including:

• Better focus and attention
• Reduced anxiety and stress
• Better self-regulation and management of big feelings
• Improved productivity
• Saved pencils, shirts/uniforms, fingernails, school IDs, phone cases, other school supplies, and more

Real Life Success Stories

Here's what some parents, educators, and individuals have to say about the benefits of sensory chews in the classroom / learning environment:

"My son is 7 years old and goes to a public school in Michigan. These chews have been a life saver. He was constantly getting in trouble for chewing all the pencils and he soaked through two shirts a day. [...] Chewing has helped him be able to focus more on school work and he no longer gets bullied by others students for his shirts being wet. Thanks for the great product" - Heather N.

"My student uses a chew necklace. [...] It has greatly helped as the student would chew on their hand, fingers, clothing etc. This would occur, due to anxiety, stress, excitement and even just needing something to do during instruction time or circle time." - Melissa G.

"These work very well in the school setting. Love the necklace cord so sensory time can be any time! We order the Chewable Gems on a somewhat regular basis to keep our Sensory Room closet stocked." - Crystal

"Complete game changer. My son is an anxious chewer... he had been ruining his clothes daily, the sleeves and collar. In school, he was completely destroying pencils into shreds, etc. It was becoming such a problem at home and for his teacher. Immediately this all changed with his robot. He absolutely loves it and it helps him." - Jennifer

"I bought the Dino-Bite necklace for my nephew (a young teen) in the hopes of saving our mechanical pencils, erasers, paintbrushes and other school supplies he was working with during distance learning. He constantly idly chews items while focused or distracted during class time and the Ark's Dino-Bite is a god-send." - Anonymous

"Great quality, good texture, doesn't smell like rubber. One of my twins has always been a chewer - erasers, straws, Legos, anything! I purchased the pencil toppers in 2 different strengths and had to buy the Bat Bite Necklace to make sure he had something proper to gnaw on no matter where he was in the house. It's helped him to focus while in class better and has saved us countless pencils and erasers this school year already." - Miranda R.

"The snowflake from Ark has become my favorite chew. [...] I really wish I'd had such a tool to divert to back when I was 5 and my mother suggested that thumb-sucking could ruin my bite. It would have saved my teeth decades of wear, kept my hair out of my mouth in middle school, and spared countless writing implements over the years." - Marie U.

"I've always been an anxious chewer. I bit my nails; I sucked my thumb. [...] This pen topper chew is exactly what I needed! Now I just look like I'm gnawing on the end of my pen while I'm thinking." - Iaal

Please note: While sensory aids can be a valuable tool for students, it's essential to ensure safe use. We recommend supervision with any chew tool, and regularly inspecting the chew and discarding at the first sign of wear. Parents and educators should use discretion when deciding whether it's safe and appropriate for children to take sensory tools to school, and ensure that adequate supervision is provided if needed. With proper use and care, sensory aids can be a powerful tool for supporting student success.

By folding chew tools into the learning process, parents, educators, and individuals can create a more supportive and inclusive environment for kids to grow and thrive. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or individual with sensory needs, we hope these stories have shown you the benefits of sensory aids in the classroom. Feel free to browse more customer stories here, and reach out to us if you have any questions at all!

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