Learning about personal space is an important life skill for safety and comfort.
For younger learners:
- Books
- Personal Space Camp – Julia Cook
- Social Thinking We Thinkers books – Body in the Group
- Circles Program
*these books/programs are teaching kids neurotypical norms, so while they can be a useful tool please keep that in mind and balance it with neuroaffirming approaches
For older learners you might lean into the ‘why’ behind personal space. You might have more or less personal space because of:
- Safety
- When I’m biking I’m much further away from someone than when I’m running
- Comfort – body comfort, emotional comfort
- I might not want to give someone a hug when I’m hot or sweaty
- I might want to stand closer to my best friend in line for recess
- Context
- I might give my brother more space when he is upset than when we are playing together
Consider using a visual analog scale and going through different scenarios
