#atom

A respectful method for handling interruptions

Core Idea: The interruption hand technique provides children a way to signal their need for attention while respecting ongoing adult conversations, creating a bridge between immediate needs and appropriate social behavior.

Key Elements

• Methodology steps

  1. Teach child to place hand on adult's shoulder or arm when needing attention
  2. Adult acknowledges by placing their hand on child's hand
  3. Child waits for a natural pause in conversation
  4. Adult then turns attention to child at first appropriate moment
  5. Both parties follow through consistently with this system

• Implementation process

  • Demonstrate the technique before expecting use
  • Practice during low-stress situations first
  • When on phone/in conversation, remind with gesture to shoulder
  • Give positive reinforcement when child uses technique successfully
  • Ensure fairly quick responsiveness to maintain trust in the system
  • Follow through by giving full attention when you turn to child

• Benefits

  • Child learns patience and social awareness
  • Adults can complete thoughts and conversations
  • Child's needs are acknowledged without being ignored
  • Develops child's understanding of turn-taking in conversation
  • Builds trust that needs will be met, reducing anxiety
  • Teaches respectful interaction patterns

• Common pitfalls

  • Adult forgetting to acknowledge the hand touch
  • Excessive delay in responding to child after acknowledgment
  • Inconsistent implementation creating confusion
  • Not teaching/practicing the technique in calm moments first
  • Adult breaking their part of the social contract

Additional Connections

• Broader Context: Grace and Courtesy in Montessori (fundamental social skills)
• Applications: Sharing by Taking Turns (similar turn-taking principle)
• See Also: Parent as Guide Mindset (modeling social skills)

References

1. Davies, S. (2019). The Montessori Toddler.
2. Montessori, M. (1989). The Child in the Family, ABC-Clio.

#communication #social_skills #grace_and_courtesy #montessori

Connections:

Sources:

• From: Davies-The Montessori Toddler