In this video, we introduce the concept of co-presence through tactile communication. Darcy and Jhonen demonstrate how to introduce an object to a DeafBlind child by touching the shoulder and sliding the object down the arm to the hand. You’ll also see how gentle taps on the child’s body provide affirmation and encouragement, forming a deeper connection. Learn how to use Protactile (PT) language cues like the PT word for "suck" to communicate effectively with your child during everyday activities.
0:06 Welcome to Protactile Kids! Lesson one: Co-presence: Introduction of an Object.
0:13 Meet Jhonen and his caregiver, Darcy.
0:16 They will model some examples of co-presence in introducing objects.
0:21 To introduce an object to your DeafBlind child, begin with a touch of the shoulder.
0:26 Darcy is holding the bottle in her hand and touching the side of the bottle to Jhonen's shoulder.
0:32 Next, slowly slide the object under your child's arm, like in this second picture where Darcy moves the bottle down the back of Jhonen's arm.
0:41 At this point your child will feel the object at their hand.
0:45 Notice in the third picture Jhonen has the bottle at his hand with Darcy supporting it.
0:58 Let's watch those three steps put together in motion.
1:00 Darcy supports Jhonen's hand with her free hand, touches the bottle to his shoulder, sweeps down the outside of his arm and ends at his hand.
1:13 Here you see where the object makes contact on the shoulder.
1:19 Here you see Darcy sliding the object down the arm ending at the hand.
1:24 Now Jhonen knows where the bottle that Darcy is offering is.
1:33 Once Jhonen knows the bottle is there, he lets Darcy know he wants it by fussing.
2:03 In this part of the video, you can see Darcy and Jhonen exploring the bottle together.
2:11 Taps on the baby's hand shows your encouragement and affirmation.
2:15 This cycle of interacting tactilely with an introduced object and expressions of affirmation form co-presence with your child.
2:22 Co-presence is important for your child to feel included and connected.
2:31 Sighted babies look at their caregivers, objects, and favorite toys.
3:10 Touch your baby so they know you are there.
3:12 Do activities with your baby in your lap, so they know you are there doing things together.
3:17 This is just like other children who see their caregiver close to them.
3:33 Darcy touching the bottle to Jhonen's shoulder and sliding it down his arm is introducing it by touch.
3:39 This is the same as a baby seeing a bottle being handed to them.
3:43 When interacting with your child, give them encouragement to engage.
3:55 A caregiver can use physical contact and tapping to let the child know they are doing good in the same way they might use eye contact and nod their head.
4:04 Darcy is tapping on Jhonen's little arm to let him know he is doing a good job at drinking his milk.
4:10 It's like she's saying this is good!
4:23 Darcy is telling Jhonen he is doing a great job!
4:26 This is affirmation in PT.
4:28 More taps on Jhonen's leg tell him to keep it up, he's doing great!
4:32 Communication continues as Jhonen sits in Darcy's lap, feels her presence, engages in co-presence in the same focused activity, and gets reinforcement with gentle taps.
4:42 Language can happen anywhere the two are in contact.
4:45 Here Darcy tells Jhonen to keep sucking by making a slight squeezing motion with her fingers along Jhonen's leg and knee.
4:52 The PT word for suck is shown in this part of the video.
5:13 Here's a closeup of the PT word for suck.
5:16 Darcy pulls her fingers together along Jhonen's knee while he sucks at the bottle.
5:22 And there we see a happy hand tap on his knee letting him know she is pleased with what he is doing.
5:28 Jhonen contentedly drinks his bottle, and when he stops, Darcy lets him know that that's okay too by some more soft taps on his knee.
5:37 Darcy reintroduces the bottle by touching at the shoulder and sliding down the arm.
5:42 Here we see Jhonen touch the tip of the bottle and not throw his arm out. He understands that his bottle is there if he wants it.
5:50 Practice co-presence with your child by keeping in contact while you engage, using your legs, or lap, or torso.
5:57 Touch and explore objects together and provide affirmation by using soft taps on their arm, chest, or leg.
6:03 When introducing an object, touch the object to your child's shoulder and slide it down their arm to their hand.
6:09 Make sure they know how pleased you are with them by using light taps as affirmation.
6:13 Communicate with your child by producing PT words on their body to talk about what you two are doing together, such as the PT word for suck
6:29 [Music]
