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How to Teach Kids About Body Language Using Mr. Potato Head, Teaching Kids Healthy Safe Touch Using Mr. Potato Head

I have used Mr. Potatoe's head toys to help teach foster parents a safe way to discuss body parts, how a child feels about each body part, and safe and appropriate touch.

I also have shown teachers how to teach simple body language reading cues in a fun way.

So they talk about eye contact and have the children put the eyes in and share what they can see and they put the hands-on and say what it safe healthy touch and other concepts like body windows and how the feet are the most honest parts of the body.  



Play: It can’t be disputed that children learn best through play as language development can be supported, by adults, in a fun and natural way. Playing with Mr. Potato Head can help develop symbolic play, certain language skills and support overall cognitive development.

Choices: Offer your child choices of body parts when placing them into Mr Potato Head. It can support the understanding and expressive use of, vocabulary for body parts. Talk about these body parts as your child is assembling and experimenting with Mr Potato Head. Providing choices can also support a child’s ability to make decisions.

Requesting: Mr Potato Head is a great tool to help support the skill of requesting. It offers many ways to develop consistent use of communication including, gestures, sign and verbal communication. Adapt the way Potato Head is played by holding back some pieces from the child to provide repetitive opportunities for the child to use all their communication skills.




Patti Wood, MA - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com.