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The Gentle Hands Stop
TARGET:
3-5 years
INTENSITY:
3–5 min / As needed
LEARNING GOAL
Learning to Be Happy in a Group
PEDAGOGICAL INTENTION
Ability to Set Personal Limits (Saying No)
Target SKILLS
Socio-emotional Intelligence
Co-Intelligence Human-Human
Simple Reasoning
MATERIALS
No materials required
DETAILED PROCEDURE
This activity works best one-on-one, or with one child at a time within a small group. Support a child who has the impulse to hit to express refusal.
Step 1
Give the replacement script: "Stop. Use your mouth to say 'No' instead of your hands."
Step 2
Guide the barrier gesture: arm extended, palm facing outward.
Step 3
Celebrate success: "You managed to say no without using any force - excellent!"
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Step 9
Step 10
PROGRESS INDICATORS
The child uses the word 'No' instead of hitting or pushing.
Research Foundations
Denham (2006)
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