Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom (And Whimsy)
Posted on May 13, 2026 under Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom with no comments yet
Stress busters
“What did you learn in school today,
Dear little boy of mine?
What did you learn in school today,
Dear little boy of mine?
What Did You Learn in School Today – Tom Paxton
My education trundles on, unabated.
Over the years, I have written about lifelong learning in this space. I never considered myself a scholar (nor do my friends!) but I try and keep myself open to new things. Some of the learning is unwanted, such as discovering that our bodies begin to betray us in our 70s. However, there are countless opportunities to learn in this ever-changing world that we inhabit.
The school year is winding down, and everyone is getting tired which means my services as a substitute teacher are needed on a pretty regular basis. Rarely does a day go by that I don’t notice something unusual at school. A few years ago, the one that got my attention was furries, the phenomenon of children pretending to be animals. Back when I was in school, some of the guys acted like animals. Furries often wear animal ears, tails, or masks, make animal sounds (barking, meowing) and sometimes move on all fours.
I was introduced to fidget toys early on in my substituting career. I remember clearly the day a student approached my desk and asked me if I could give him a fidget. I didn’t need to feign ignorance as I had no idea what he was talking about. “The fidgets are in a container behind your desk.” I discovered that a fidget toy is typically a small object used in the hands to help students deal with anxiety, frustration, agitation or boredom.
Sixty years ago, we would have just gone outside and climbed a tree. Or had a smoke!
I’m not trying to trivialize anxiety in children. From what I have observed, it is close to an epidemic. I’m not going to get into the causes but one would surmise that the overuse of electronic devices, social media and, yes, Covid, are a few contributing factors.
Recently, I have noticed a proliferation of something different that students are carrying around in their hands. At first, I thought it was play dough. Last week, I innocently asked a student what she was massaging in her hand. Several students answered. “It’s needoh, Mr. MacDonald.”
For the next 15 minutes, I was spellbound as student after student explained the intricacies and economics of this fast-growing fad. I was told that needohs, also known as “squishies” provide sensory satisfaction, featuring dough-like or thick gel fillings that allow for stretching, squeezing, and slow rising. I was informed that initially nee doh was used by a small number of students to deal with their anxiety. However, as these things tend to go, possessing needoh is now, officially, “a thing”.
Much like the Cabbage Patch Kids craze of 1983, which featured near riots, stampedes and artificial scarcity, needoh is a “must have”. They come in all shapes and sizes and the prices being extorted, are mind-boggling. I was agog as student after student told me stories about their quest to get their hands on these gel filled blobs. One student told me that he recently purchased three online for $150.
Well, “Tickle me Elmo”.
Shortly after this eye-opening discussion, the students had their snack break. Within minutes, the students arrived at my desk with an astounding assorting of needohs. I had only seen a few in the classroom but so prized are these items that students keep their collection under lock and key in their lockers, which, on the surface, would appear counter intuitive.
Apparently, needohs are quite fashionable in the adult community as well.
I have been pondering taking up a new hobby as I am about to enter my 75th year. I’m going to get the formula for making needoh and go into production. Or maybe I’ll just make some bread dough, shape it into rolls, paint them and start peddling them to the uninformed.
I know that I need money to fund my retirement.
It takes a lot of dough.
Have a great weekend.
