Teachers, save “Relating to Peers: Touching others” to assign it to your class.

Learning Intention: The student will identify incidents in which touching others is appropriate or done in an appropriate manner. Some people enjoy physical contact with others; others prefer to hang on to their space. While some forms of contact are generally ok (i.e. shaking hands), other touching may not be appropriate (i.e. hugs). You must learn how to express yourself without bothering others. Another problem area involving touching is that of people not controlling their hands, Tapping others, pushing, shoving or even just knocking into someone else can be ther first step towards a fight. Again, the idea of giving someone else their space is a good way to help limit touching. Thinking questions: 1. Would you be able to work well in this room if there were 100 people in here? Why/ why not? 2. Do you think having enough room or space for yourself is important? 3. How do you feel when others push you or knock into you, even if it's an accident? 4. Why do you think some people like to be left alone, rather than touched by others? 5. What are some ways that people touch each other in an appropriate way to show you are friends? Directions: Look at the examples of ways of touching. Decide whether or not that form of touching would be OK or not.