This material was developed by the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning with federal funds from the U. I would read this book to young preschool age children to help them understand what their hands are for and how many different ways they are able to use them. Have the children go under the shell and practice taking 3 deep breaths before they come out of the shell. Discuss how if we do what Tucker did we can calm ourselves down and think of other things to do with our hands. The story helps children understand why they may feel like hitting and offers many ways one can deal with feelings by replacing the use of hitting with alternative skills.

They are learning how to deal with others listening or not listening to them; understanding patience and accepting rejection.Send a note home to the families telling them about the Turtle technique and suggestions for how they can help their child practice the technique at home. Now that he’s four he still enjoys reading this book for fun and he’s often reflecting on his improved behavior. This book is available in a simpler board book version for children who are developmentally younger.

The child hears the different ways they can use their hands appropriately compared to being harmful with them.Hands Are Not for Hitting is a story about alternative actions and activities that children and adults can do with their hands instead of hitting.

She does not really have a problem hitting, though sometimes when she gets really upset and can't get the words out, she does throw or hit. You can easily add the student's name and details and also include their preferred method of calming. Introduce the concept of the day by having the children think about the many different ways we use our hands to talk.Marieka Heinlen received her BFA at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and also studied at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London. This book shows young children good things they can do with their hands and teaches socially appropriate behaviors to do instead of hitting. This social situation identifies alternative calming strategies that can be used when students begin to feel frustrated or angry and want to hit others. The reviews made them seem like a good choice, but I thought they missed the mark…or maybe they are just better for older preschoolers idk. Make a chart that you can leave up as a reminder to the children of all the things you can do instead of hitting!