My Body has a Bubble: Understanding Personal Space
on Goodreads (20)
What’s inside...
A book that explores the concept of personal space through the metaphor of invisible bubbles. Each bubble represents a different layer of personal space, which is essential to understand and respect for both neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals. The book uses simple language and rhymes to explain personal space, making it accessible for children and a conversation starter for families. This book is the second in the 'Neurodiversity Without All The Terminology' series, following 'My Brain is a Race Car'.
Age
0-9
Length
30 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What does it mean to have personal space?
Can you think of a time when you felt like your bubble was too small?
How does it make you feel when someone respects your personal space?
Why is it important to ask before entering someone’s bubble?
How can you kindly remind someone about your personal space?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own feelings about personal space, creating an open environment for discussion.
Ask your child to draw their 'bubble' and describe who and what they allow in it, fostering a deeper understanding through visualization.
Role-play different scenarios with your child where they might need to express their need for personal space, this can help them prepare for real-life situations.
Read the book together and pause at key moments to ask your child how they think the characters are feeling, enhancing empathy and awareness.
Praise your child when they express their thoughts and feelings about personal space, reinforcing positive discussions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding personal boundaries
Explanation: The story uses the metaphor of a 'bubble' to illustrate personal space, teaching children it's important to respect other's physical boundaries.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this understanding in school or playground settings where they interact with peers, helping them to respect others' space and feel comfortable expressing their own boundaries.
Example Lesson: Recognizing comfort levels
Explanation: Characters in the book express when they feel comfortable or uncomfortable with physical closeness, showing kids that it's okay to vocalize their feelings.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that they can and should speak up if they feel uncomfortable regarding closeness or touch, fostering open communication about personal feelings.
Example Lesson: Empathy towards others
Explanation: Through character interactions, the book demonstrates how recognizing and respecting personal boundaries can lead to better understanding and care among friends.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to notice and respect the comfort levels of their peers or family members, leading to more empathetic and caring relationships.
Example Lesson: Importance of asking for permission
Explanation: The book highlights scenarios where characters ask each other before entering personal space, emphasizing consent.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to always ask for permission before physical interactions, such as hugging or borrowing personal items, fostering mutual respect among peers.
Example Lesson: Communicating personal needs
Explanation: Characters in 'My Body has a Bubble' clearly articulate their need for space, which teaches children how to express their own needs effectively.
Real-World Application: This helps children to be clear and confident in expressing their requirements in various situations, be it at home, with friends, or in public places.