I used a version of Peaceful Touch for sensory integration games. Peaceful touch is a Scandinavian approach to appropriate touch in the classroom (that is inspired by therapeutic massage). I never taught massage with children, but I applied the concept of both asking for consent and choosing whether or not to give it. One of the games we played in a highly structured way was Sensory Sandwiches. This is not direct touch it has more to do with practicing the steps of consent and working up to drawing a picture on someone's back. I would facilitate. We had a basket of soft materials (pillows, towels, small blankets, etc.) that we would pretend were sandwich ingredients. One child would lie on a big pillow (often the first volunteer was a sensory seeker which was perfect for them to get regulated to stay for someone else's turn). We ask, "what would you like on your sandwich?" They say an ingredient and I ask another child to choose an item from the basket to represent that ingredient and ask them to gently place it on the child who is lying down. After placing I say, "now we ask them how it feels? Is it ok?" If it's a child who is not a sensory seeker I add, "they might say yes and they might say no." Just to emphasize that it's the lying down child's decision. The lying down child determines with their sandwich is complete (Or ingredients run out) and we put another pillow on top as the other slice of bread. Then we ask, "would you like me to press the bread?" (This means slide your hands over the top pillow at the pressure that the child likes). If they say no, that's the end of the game. If they say yes, you can ask, "how is this pressure? Too heavy? Too light? Or just right?" And you respond accordingly with pressure. It's your discretion whether to invite a child to do this part. If I had kids who were highly regulated I would invite them to ask the questions and apply the right amount of pressure. If I had someone who was working really hard to regulate I might do it with them or ask them just to watch.
Separate from Peaceful touch there are programs for teaching kids how to recognize an "uh-oh" feeling associated with inappropriate touch, but I don't know the names of them off the top of my head.
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Lauren Stauble
Consultant/Faculty/ECE Admin
Boston, MA
feelthinkconnect.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-25-2021 11:18 AM
From: Sara Larsen
Subject: Appropriate Touch
Share your thoughts please: What do you teach in 3/4/5year olds in terms of areas of appropriate touch and what students should do if touched in an inappropriate area?
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Sara Larsen
Concordia MO
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