Everybody feels more comfortable when their personal space is respected, both at home and in a public space. Children need to have a good understanding of personal space to be successful in everyday interactions, to maintain relationships, and to stay safe. Most children have an intuition of how close they should stand while talking with someone, but those who struggle with social cues may annoy people by standing too close.
Strategies for Teaching Kids About Personal Space
The amount of personal space needed can vary depending on ‘who we are with, ‘what we are doing, and ‘where we are. This space, sometimes called the “space bubble”, is generally smaller with family and close friends, while bigger with acquaintances and strangers. Children get annoyed and uncomfortable when someone invades their personal space bubble and sometimes, they unintentionally get into someone else’s own space as well. The following simple tips help you to teach them about maintaining good personal space.
The emoticons game
Your child should be able to figure out discomfort in others and step back if needed. Use stickers or printed sheets of emoticons for your child to identify the various emotions like anger, sadness, joy, etc. Usually, eyes and hands are the two features that display emotions. The game teaches children that just by looking at the other person’s eyes discomfort can be understood.
The hula hoop method
Children should realise the necessity to avoid close proximity with strangers. Let your child wear a hula hoop around his or her waist using a belt or rope. Ask him or her to be inside an imaginary hoop all the time and no stranger should be allowed to come closer than that.
Strict ‘No’ to eavesdropping
In addition to physical space, the space bubble includes emotional space as well. Listening to other people’s conversations and reading someone else’s letters should not be encouraged. Initiate talks about emotional space by demonstrating eavesdropping on personal conversations and marking them as undesirable.
Seek permission
It is assumed that parents can show affection towards children in any manner. Instead, let your children know that they have a say in setting their own boundaries. Before you hug or kiss them, ask them if they will be comfortable if you do so. It empowers them to designate their personal space even with outsiders.
Language of personal space
Children should know how to advocate for themselves, when they recognize that their own space is intruded upon and they no longer feel comfortable and safe, Teach them phrases like, “That’s too close”, “Stop touching me” or “You’re standing too close to me”. Give them the confidence to say them out loud so that the other person steps back.
“Comfortable Distance”
Healthy friendships are born out of respecting each other and their personal space. At Winmore Academy, one of the best CBSE schools in the country, we employ a hands-on kinaesthetic approach to teach children about personal space. Insist students on maintaining an arm’s distance while standing or walking in line. Carry out role-playing and other activities to make the idea of own space more concrete for students.