A young entrepreneur has created a box of sensory toys that can help with anxiety, meditation or simply provide a source of fun and distraction.

Ean Welch, the 12-year-old owner of Metal and String, a recently launched business specialising in yo-yos and slinky toys, is about to introduce to his offerings the Fidget Centre Box, just in time for the new school year.

He says the contents of the box, mostly small, brightly coloured silicone items, can help young children with their fine motor skills and can assist those with conditions such as autism and ADHD.

Ean hopes to introduce the concept to schools including the Bermuda Centre for Creative Learning, which supports children with learning differences.

ShaeVonne Welch, his mother, is an educator and said she believes the items could have a place in the school setting at times when children are not otherwise engaged.

She said she has already had interest from a functional skills teacher in a public school.

Items in the box — which became available to buy this week — include modelling clay, finger fidget rings, a mini slinky and stretchy rubber string as well as silicone items including textured “stones” and textured balls with suction cups.

Ean told The Royal Gazette: “We came up with the idea a few weeks ago.

“Sometimes at school, I get fidgety and end up talking to people, so I get into trouble.

“The toys can channel your energy into something instead of interrupting class.

“A few of my friends and cousins go to BCCL and we thought it would be good for children with learning differences. That could include autism and ADHD.

“It gives them something to focus on if they need a quick break from what they are doing. If they are in class and have finished their work, it is a way to keep them quiet rather than interrupting the class.

“I end up tapping pencils and pens on the desk, but the sensory toys don’t make any noise at all.

“I would say the products can be for all ages; we have had elders, middle-aged people and young people interested … My mom likes to say our age range is 10 to 99 years old.”

Ms Welch said she believes the fidget boxes could help to calm children down in certain scenarios such as after they have finished their work and are unoccupied, or could even help those put into in-school suspension.

She explained: “I have schoolchildren come to me who may be frustrated or well up when they are put into suspension.

“This could provide them with that immediate reflection time — something to calm them down.

“It would definitely be good for the lower-year levels and for older children. That is my view as an educator.

“It can also be beneficial for those students who experience stemming — repeated behaviours.

“These are the stimulators that are useful in a classroom; they are quiet and don’t cause distraction.

“Some children in mainstream classes may need those things to help them get through anxiety or whatever what is going on with them. It’s a tool to hold on to.”

Ms Welch also encouraged the community to support young entrepreneurs.

Ean launched Metal and String in December as part of a project for his business class at Sandys Secondary Middle School, which held a vendors market for participating students.

He recently joined the BEDC Summer Student Entrepreneur Programme that supports young business owners with mentorship and training.

The schoolboy was a vendor at the Youth Entrepreneur Expo at Pier Six on Sunday, and will be selling the box and other items at upcoming events including The Lumina Festival: Financial Literacy Summit in September.

• For more information, visit the Instagram page@metalandstringor e-mail metalandstring.bda@gmail.com