Pass the Squeeze

Pass the Squeeze is an activity that helps learners practice connecting with one another through gentle touch.

Steps:

1. Before beginning this activity, ensure that each of your students is comfortable with having their hands held and gently squeezed and with holding and gently squeezing the hands of others. If possible, it may also be wise to ask your learners to wash or sanitize their hands before beginning this activity!

2. Find or clear a large space. Ask your learners to help you form a large circle in the space, being mindful of their bubbles of personal space. All learners should be facing the inside of the circle. Once the circle has been formed, ask your learners to hold your and one another's hands.

3. Explain that you are going to pass a squeeze around the circle. Emphasize that this is a gentle squeeze! If necessary, remind your learners what a gentle squeeze feels like. Also share that the squeeze can only travel when everyone is quiet. Tell your learners that each of them will first receive a squeeze from the friend on one side of them, then give a squeeze to the friend on the other. If necessary, clarify that learners should not return a squeeze to the friend who squeezed them.

4. Squeeze the hand of one of the learners next to you, and watch as the squeeze travels around the circle. When the squeeze comes back to you, you'll know it's completed its journey! Repeat this step as desired.