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6 Year Old Twin Boy - Personal Space Issues
I have twin grandsons who are 6 and in first grade. They are in separate classes and do well. One of the boys is having personal space issues. He has trouble keeping his hands to himself and talks about or tries to kiss the other students. He and his brother are very close and affectionate. Not sure if this is something to be concerned about or not. The school counselor is going to meet with him to talk about appropriate school behavior and and personal space boundaries. Any suggestions? Thanks.
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If he was embarrassed after talking to the counselor, I do hope his mom reassured him that he wasn't seen as being bad, just assumed not to know. Poor guy.
These are great ideas. I love the hoola hoop idea! We'll try these out with him, his brother and sister. Make it a learning opp for all! Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply.
Thanks for your input. He's pretty sharp. After the talk with the counselor, he was embarrassed, but his mother talked to him and we'll see how it goes.
If he hears that he needs to change his behavior and does not, then there is an issue. I wouldn't borrow trouble on this until that happens. I'm sure he'll be able to hear what people are telling him about appropriateness and adjust accordingly.
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Here are some things you can do to 'teach' him about boundaries. You can illustrate personal space to him this way--- get a hoola hoop and have him put it around him. Have him hold it and then you get in. This will probably cause him to laugh as it is too close. You can then talk about the space 'around' everyone and how he needs to stay out of their hoola hoop space. You can do 'robot arms'. Walk like a robot -- with arms straight out and stiff. This will create an 'arms length' between you and anothing else. Then have him do robot walking with arms out. You can then talk about not getting closer than robot arms to his friends at school.
You can 'give' him something to do with his hands. When he wants something that someone has, he must use his words and ask for it. If they say no, that is okay. He needs to have a go to activity for his hands such as putting them in a pocket or clasping them in his lap. Model it for him, practice it, role play.
The kissing issue is one that you see more with kids who want to hug everyone. You can do a "no kissing at school" rule and make it firm and constant. Then you can do something where you get out pictures of immediate and close family. Lay them in a line right in front of him. Then have pictures of aquaintences that you know but aren't as close to--- some neighbors or pictures from a church gathering or whatever. Put those in a line after or farther away from him . Next cut out pictures from magazines to represent strangers. Put them farthest away. Have him sit in front of these pictures. He can hug/kiss the people in the first line. He can high five people in the second line. He can greet with hello only the ones in the 3rd line.
Just some ideas. good luck!!