- Definition
Personal space is the area immediately around your child's body, like an invisible bubble, that they feel is their own and where they feel comfortable.
When a child stands with their arms stretched out to the sides, their personal space extends to their fingertips.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Personal space is like an invisible hula hoop around you that goes wherever you go.
Ask your child: Stand still and stretch. Where does your personal space end?
Common mix-up: Kids may think personal space is just a circle on the floor around their feet. It's really a full bubble that extends in all directions you can reach.
Examples
- Reaching up high or crouching down low shows the high and low parts of your personal space.
- Lying on the floor and making a snow angel shows how far your personal space reaches all around you.
personal space is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
