Heavy sand-filled vests that keep school children in their seats

German schools make hyper kids wear 13lb sand vests
An innovative way of dealing with hyper-activity in children has been devised by some schools in Germany.

Controversial sand vests, which weigh between 2.7 and 13lbs, are being used by at least 200 German schools despite some parents not being entirely happy with them.  The vests cost between £124 and £150.  The schools say these vests are very effective at calming down hyper children and those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  They also believe it’s a better way at tackling the problem than using drugs such as Ritalin.

Gerhild de Wall, head of the inclusion unit at the Grumbrechtstrasse school in Hamburg, says, 'Children are never forced to wear the vests. On the contrary they actually enjoy wearing them.'

One parent, whose son has been wearing a 2kg sand vest at his school for the past three years to treat his ADHD, said her son doesn’t mind wearing it.
She said: ‘He can concentrate better and is more able to take an active part in lessons because he’s not spending the whole time trying to keep his arms and legs under control.’

However, there are those who have likened the vests to straitjackets worn by violent patients at psychiatric hospitals.

One parent said: ‘It would be best if we avoided such torture methods.'