Day 19: Monkey Noises, Velcro, and Bubbles

I am always blessed when I have Marti Smith visit my classroom!  She is an amazing mom to one of my students and amazing to me as a friend.  As an occupational therapist, she is the best!

Marti visited my classroom today to share with my students about children that have sensory processing issues.  First of all, she let the children experience some of the things they experience.  She had her daughter and personal assistant share about the foods she likes.  While she was talking she played monkey noises that were quite distracting. Then she talked about the different noises in the room that we might not notice but a child with sensory processing issues might not only notice but be very distracted and frustrated by.

Marti then put on some gardening gloves that had Velcro attached to them.  She went around the circle and shook hands with kids and touched their faces.  She asked the children how that felt to them and then shared that some children have a hard time with touch and it may be very uncomfortable or even painful to them.

Through role playing Marti talked about how everyone has their own personal bubble of space they are comfortable with.  Some children may have a very small bubble of space and not understand they are invading yours and some children may have a very large bubble of space and not want you to invade their bubble.  She and the kids had great dialogue about how to effectively communicate what you are comfortable with.  She shared that it is better to tell a friend what you do want them to do rather than what you don't want them to do.  For example, "Could you keep your hands to yourself" rather than "Stop touching me!"

One of my favorite things Marti shared was, "People will tell  you who they are but listen and watch when they show you who they are."  In other words, people will let you know what they are comfortable with.  You just need to watch, listen, and pay attention.

Marti gave great suggestions on how to be an encouraging and supportive friend.  At the end the kids all invaded any bubble Marti might have and gave her a group hug!  Marti was a huge blessing today and gave the kids great insight into relationships.