Lesson 2 - Tactile Exploration of an Object.

0:00 Tactical exploration of an object.
0:07 Hello, today we're gonna talk about how you and your child can connect by exploring objects together.
0:19 This is called co-presence.
0:23 Begin by getting in touch hand on hand with your child, as demonstrated in the last lesson.
0:30 If your child's hands slides up your arm when they're in the listening position,they miss out on information.
0:36 They no longer feel your hand or the object you're touching.
0:40 When this happens, do not grab the child's hand and force it onto your hand or the object.
0:45 This can start all your child causing them to tense up and put up their guard.
0:51 This action also diminishes their autonomy.
0:54 Here's what to do instead.
0:56 Again, begin at the shoulder, running your hand down the child's arm, to connect with your hand.
1:00 While the child's hand wanders up your forearm, slowly use your other hand to guide it back down to the hand you'll touch the object with.
1:07 Once their hand is back on your hand, the two of you can begin to explore the object.
1:12 Let's take a look at that again.
1:19 As their hand moves up your arm, gently guide it back down so that it rests in the listening position.
1:33 Don't grab the child's hand or thrust it onto the toy forcefully, controlling their movements.
1:45 Instead, with their hand on your hand, touch the toy first and then offer it to them.
1:51 As they begin to touch the object, your hand will now be in the listening position on their hand, as they explore the object.
1:58 To give them an opportunity to feel the toy even more, place the object in their hand.
2:08 Remember to keep touching their hand as they explore the object.
2:11 This encourages your child to play with the toy with you.
2:14 When engaging together in co-presence, you both explore the toy together.
2:18 Don't encourage your child to play with a toy on their own by simply handing them the toy
and then letting go or disconnecting from them.
2:26 Encourage your child to play with the toy with you.
2:29 Let's watch that again.
2:31 If they begin to pull the toy away to explore it on their own gently guide them back into co-presence, encouraging them to stay connected.
2:44 Engaging with objects in co-presence allows you both to establish joint attention.
2:53 Offer encouragement as you and your child explore objects together by tapping your child's leg and shoulder.
3:00 This positive affirmation lets them know that you're with them, sharing in their activity and are pleased with what they're doing.
3:14 Again, always start by touching the child shoulder do not grab their arm or pull them toward the object.
3:21 Instead, stay present with them so they can feel your excitement about showing them the toy and sharing the experience together.
3:27 Keep your hands on your child's hands as they explore the toy.
3:32 If your child is timid and pulls their hand away or moves their hand off of yours, gently reposition it back onto your hand.
3:40 Once your hands are connected, you touch the object first so that the child feels you touching it.
3:46 Remember, do not grab their hand to place it on the toy.
3:50 Just simply touch the object and move your hand to a listening or observing position, feeling your child as they touch the toy.
3:58 This way your child knows you're present and participating in the activity with them.
4:12 I call this the power of touch.
4:16 Touch puts information at our fingertips.
4:19 Information is learned and communicated through touch.
4:22 And you will learn more about this as you move through this program.
4:26 These first two videos provide an introduction to Protactile language which is just the tip of the iceberg.
4:32 Later, you will learn more about fostering co-presence through back-channeling and reciprocal feedback.
4:41 Notice how we take turns as we pay attention to each other through touch in this activity.
4:47 One person touches the object while the other feels them touching it.
4:52 Then we switch.
4:55 As we do this, we alternate the position of our hands, the hands of the person exploring the object are on the bottom touching the object directly while the hands of the listener on top.
5:07 Regardless of whether one is sighted, or can see the object we both remain co-present in tactile space as we take turns playing with the object.
5:16 This is called reciprocal engagement.
5:20 Remaining connected allows us to observe one another as we play with the toy.
5:27 After your child feels how you engage with the toy it's important for you to provide them with the same opportunity by placing your hand on top of theirs in the listening position so that they know you're paying attention and experiencing the activity with them.
5:42 Throughout this process our two hands are always connected alternating in speaking or listening position.
5:49 Never control the other person's hand by gripping and moving it.
5:52 Simply touch the object while the child's hand is in the listening position and then move your hand to the listening position as you feel your child feeling the object.
6:01 Give them plenty of positive feedback and encouragement.
6:04 Engaging in play without having the listening hand connected is not a reciprocal experience.
6:10 It's important to always keep your hands connected as you explore the toy together in co-presence.

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