Wiggles, Stomps, and Squeezes: Calming My Jitters at School (2)
#2 in Wiggles, Stomps, and Squeezes Series
on Goodreads (131)
What’s inside...
This story follows a young girl with heightened sensory experiences through her day at school. It helps children and adults alike understand the world of a neurodiverse child.
Discussion points
How do you feel when you get jitters like the character in the book?
What are some things you can do at school to feel calmer when you're nervous?
Why do you think the character wiggles, stomps, and squeezes to manage their feelings?
Can you think of a time when you felt like the character? What helped you feel better?
Tip: Role play these questions
Validate your child’s feelings by sharing your own experiences of feeling jittery and what actions you take to calm down.
Encourage your child to describe their physical sensations when they're nervous, helping them connect with the character’s experiences.
Discuss the effectiveness of different calming techniques and experiment with them to find what works best for your child.
Praise your child’s efforts in managing their emotions, reinforcing the positive behaviors depicted in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding and managing sensory sensitivities
Explanation: The story revolves around the protagonist's experiences with sensory challenges in a school environment, demonstrating how they navigate various sensations.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to identify their own sensory preferences and explore coping mechanisms, such as seeking quieter spaces or using calming techniques, which are valuable skills for managing sensory inputs in everyday situations.
Example Lesson: Empathy towards others' differences
Explanation: As the main character deals with sensory sensitivities, peers around them learn to understand and support these differences, fostering an inclusive atmosphere.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to be considerate and supportive of their classmates who may have different needs or reactions to the environment, promoting empathy and inclusion.
Example Lesson: Self-expression and communication
Explanation: The protagonist uses various methods to express their discomfort and needs, effectively communicating with teachers and peers.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to express their feelings and articulate their needs clearly to others, a fundamental skill for effective communication in social settings and conflict resolution.
Example Lesson: Advocacy for personal needs
Explanation: Through the character’s actions, the book highlights the importance of self-advocacy in seeking accommodations or assistance when overwhelmed.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be proactive about their well-being by speaking up for themselves in situations where they feel uncomfortable or need support, applicable in school and other social settings.
Example Lesson: Resilience and adaptation
Explanation: Despite sensory challenges, the character demonstrates resilience by finding ways to adapt and engage with their school environment.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of resilience and creative problem-solving in overcoming personal challenges, empowering them to tackle obstacles in various aspects of life.