A Chatterbox, Chatterbitss Activity, for Protective Play

by Megan Bayliss | More from this Blogger

Do you remember those paper folded, two hand, finger manipulated, schoolyard toys that we used to terrorize each other with? Four different colored faces, numbers on the inside that opened up to the most derogatory sayings the author could think of, e.g., "You love (the nerdiest boy in the class)" or "You smell." We used to call them Chatterboxes. Who would have thought that such a simple, hand made toy could become a powerful teaching tool. Instead of Chatterbox, I call them Chatterbitts and use them to teach protective behaviors. I put protective statements, or reminders, under the inside triangular flaps, but they can also be easily adapted to any other teaching need, i.e., Anger Management. Chatterbitss are suitable for pre-school age up. According to the age of the child, you can make the hidden learning statements super easy or cryptic.

How to make a Chatterbox:

1. From an A4 piece of paper, measure and cut out a perfect square. Fold the square in half diagonally (to crease) in both directions, then open, and lie flat again. The centre point is where the creases cross.

2. Fold all four corners inward to the center point. You now have a smaller square.

3. Turn the square over and fold the smaller square's corners to the center front point. You now have an even smaller square.

4. Fold this small square in half in both directions (horizontally & vertically to crease) and then open out to lie flat as at the end of step three. You should have squares on the front side and triangles on the back side.

5. Colour three of the squares on the front in traffic light colors: one green, one orange and one red. On the forth square, choose a color of your choice.

6. On the reverse side you have eight mini triangles. Write a "feeling" word on each triangle, i.e. happy, scared, or confused.

7. On the inner triangular flaps write 8 different statements about Body ownership, Intuition, Touch, Say no and Support network, i.e. Kiss on the cheek is fair, kiss in the mouth beware; Touch my fingers, touch my toes, touch my bum and off you'll go.

8. Refold the Chatterbitss into the small square & then in half along one of the creases. You should have a rectangle, not a triangle. Put pointer fingers and thumbs up under the squares & bring the four top outer corners together in the middle. Pick a square, spell the colour out using hand movements to alternate the shape of the Chatterbitss, pick a feeling word, lift, say, play.

GREAT FUN, PROTECTIVE PLAY

Here's a few BITSS statements that you may like to use. These ones are for older children or children who will have an adult to read the statements to them. Remember that you can change the statements to suit your child's age and reading ability.

Hands are for helping, not hurting. If someone touches you and you don't want them to: TELL SOMEONE.

When a chill creeps up your spine, lodges coldly in your mind, don't let fear freeze you dead, use your head, it's a warning Fred!

If you can't decide if touch is right, say "no" for now and think all night. If still you can't work out the rule, ask someone tomorrow at school.

Your body is your feeling fence. The clothes you wear are part defense. Tell if someone touched your private parts and you'll be one of us with smarts.

When you're feeling sad and blue, your support people are there to talk with you.

Toes for walking, mouth for talking, against the law is dreadful stalking. When someone's mean & gives you forkies go and tell your walkie-talkies.

Good things can turn to bad things. Like when your brother shamed you. It's not your fault & you must tell, so do it now before the bell.

Don't smoke, drink, or steal, & don't touch any body's private parts. It's against the law. If someone forces or tricks you, tell Mom.

Looking for other protective Play ideas? Check out these related articles:

BITSS of Touch;

Final BITSS of Protective Play.

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