A study of touch as a mode of nonverbal communication as used by grade three teachers in selected Newfoundland schools

The purpose of this study was to explore the area of touch in relation to the classroom environment, focusing specifically on the teacher's use of touch in their interactions with children. -- Observations were conducted in six grade three classrooms. The data collected during the observation s...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Pollett-Arniel, Judith
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 1989
Subjects:
Online Access:https://research.library.mun.ca/5068/
https://research.library.mun.ca/5068/1/Pollet-Arniel_Judith.pdf
https://research.library.mun.ca/5068/3/Pollet-Arniel_Judith.pdf
Description
Summary:The purpose of this study was to explore the area of touch in relation to the classroom environment, focusing specifically on the teacher's use of touch in their interactions with children. -- Observations were conducted in six grade three classrooms. The data collected during the observation sessions consisted of the nature of the classroom activity, the type of touch teachers initiated, the body areas involved in the touch interaction, the child's activity at touch initiation and sex of the child. -- From an analysis of the data collected during direct observation in the classroom settings, repertoires of types of touch and child's activity at touch initiation were developed for each of the six teachers. Patterns of touching behavior were noted among the sample of six teachers on these two dimensions. Meaning categories were developed for the occurrences of touch observed in this sample. -- The study concluded that the sample of six grade three teachers did initiate various types of touch in a variety of circumstances in the classroom setting. Further research on the nature of touch as a form of nonverbal communication between teacher and child is recommended.