Wriggled and Jiggled and Tickled

"There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" by Pam Adams is a favorite book in the Rivers Class library. Usually, after snack, two or more children can be found reading and singing the song to each other.

There is a repeating line in the song "I know an old lady who swallowed a spider, that wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her." At this point the children often dive upon each other, tickling and giggling.

This prompted the teachers to think about appropriate touch and consent.
Do you need to ask permission to tickle a classmate?
How do you say no to being tickled but still get to enjoy the book?
What should it look like when someone is tickled?

To help the children think through these questions we had a class conversation. The teacher set the initial physical boundaries: At school we don't lay down on our friends, so there is no laying down while tickling. A tickle is good on, or under, the arms.

Once asking for permission had been modeled, the children were eager to try it themselves. So each child turned to the person next to him/her and asked, "Can I tickle you?" or, for the more enthusiastic, "Would you like to tickle me?"

Some children said no using their words and we practiced accepting their decision.

If someone says "Yes" to a tickle but their face shows they're not enjoying it, you STOP right away.

But, when you both want to tickle, it can be a lot of fun!

Do you enjoy being tickled? What are your family rules for tickling or roughhousing?