Being Too Close
Being too close is when I get very near another person.
Most people like to have a bit of space around them. This is often called 'Personal Space'. It is usually about an arm's length when I am facing someone.
Most people feel uncomfortable when other people get too close. I can try not to get too close when I am talking to people.
Sometimes I have no choice but to get very close to people. For example, in a crowd or a tight space. When I have to stand very close to someone I can turn my body so that I am not looking into their face.
Being too close is invading someone's personal space. This is not OK. If I have to be very near someone I can look away.
Personal Space
Personal space is the room around us that we need to feel comfortable
Most people like to have a little distance between their body and people near them. Different people have different amounts of personal space that they need. It is also different depending on who it is. Closer for our family than for our friends.
When someone gets too close it can make some people feel anxious or annoyed.
When standing in front of someone most people like you to stand an arm's length away. People are usually more OK with other people being close to the side of their body.
Personal space is important for most people. We can all be considerate by not standing too close to someone.
Personal Space 2
Personal space is an invisible “bubble” around our bodies that helps us feel safe.
Everyone has their own personal space or “bubble”. This is the amount of space we like to keep to ourselves, so we feel comfy and happy.
Some people like their bubbles to be a bit bigger, and some like them a bit smaller. The size of our bubble also depends on where we are, what we are doing and who we are with.
When someone gets too close to us, it can make us feel a bit squished or uncomfortable. We may feel like we need to move away so that we have our personal space again. The same is true, if we get too close to someone else. When we go inside someone else’s bubble they can feel uncomfortable.
Personal space is important for most people. We can be nice by not standing too close to someone unless they say it's okay. This way, we all feel good and happy when we're together!
When I'm Too Close
When I am too close to someone I am inside their personal space.
Other people can feel very uncomfortable when I am too close to them. I can try to help by remembering some rules about personal space:
Talking:
I should stand with at least an arm’s length away when speaking to someone.
Lining up:
When I stand behind someone in the line I need to make sure I leave a gap so I don’t touch them.
At the table:
My arms and shoulders should not touch anyone sat next to me. I also need to keep my things on my part of the table.
Carpet time:
I can sit with my hands in my lap and not touch anyone.
Being too close is not okay. I can try to remember the rules about personal space.
