“This is how Piglet and Pooh came to be lying on their
backs, looking at the sky. And from this angle they were finally able to see
some clouds coming into view.”
I love Tigger’s enthusiasm, even if he does knock everyone
over. It’s funny how just the one word of describing him as “enthusiastic”
changes how I see him. Imagine if I called him “hyperactive” or “inconsiderate”.
I think the way we describe children’s behaviour is really
important. Not only does it help in the relationship with the child to see them
more positively, but it gives an understanding of the cause of the behaviour as
well as the way to change the behaviour. How do you stop Tigger from bouncing?
You can’t, but you do listen out for the boing noise!
I think using the Tigger analogy can be helpful for children
to understand their own behaviour. You can brainstorm with your Tigger all the
ways to stop a Tigger from bouncing and knocking people over. You might come up
with the idea that Tigger needs to learn the right time and place to Bounce.
Who he could bounce around - Little Roo loves to bounce, but not Rabbit. Giving
children strategies for when they feel bouncy can be useful in helping them to calm.
One strategy to stop bouncing is weighted therapy. Having something heavy on a
child’s lap or even shoulders, like a heat pack, or heavy book can be very
calming and centring. Another useful strategy for children who fidget with
their fingers or chew their nails is talking about their “busy fingers” and
giving their fingers something to do like play with blu-tac, magnets or rocks
in their pocket. I bet Tigger would love some blu-tac to fidget with while he
waited for the next appropriate time to bounce!
Not all kids are into characters from the 100 Acre Woods, so
while it is a good starting point, explore character’s from your own children’s
area of interest. Next time I will talk more about analogies. How would you
describe your child? McQueen? Belle? Po?
A recipe for the school holidays to make with the kids,
while you talk about Tigger and how to help him with his bouncy- Honey Joys are
so easy to make I think even Tigger could manage to make these for his friend
Pooh Bear.
