Gentle Hands Session Guide
Gentle Hands Session Guide
20-Minute Social-Emotional Lesson Plan
Session Overview
Focus
Replacing hitting with functional communication and sensory regulation strategies.
Materials Needed
- Gentle Hands Story
- Nice Hands Sorting Cards
- Calm Choice Board
Pacing & Activities
5 MIN
Social Story: Hands are for Helping
Read the "Gentle Hands Story" with the student. Use a slow, calm voice.
"When we read, point to the pictures. Emphasize: 'Hitting hurts. We use gentle hands to help and play.'"
7 MIN
Nice Hands Matching & Sorting
Use the sorting cards. Help the student identify "Nice Hands" vs. "Hitting".
- Place the "Nice Hands" and "No Hitting" headers on the table.
- Hand student one card at a time. Ask: "Is this nice hands?"
- Model the physical action (e.g., high five, wave) for the "Nice Hands" cards.
8 MIN
Communication & Practice
Introduce the "Calm Choice Board". Practice "asking" instead of hitting.
Scenario Practice:
Role Play: "I have the toy you want. You feel mad. What can you do?"
Guide the student to point to "HELP" or "BREAK" on the communication board.
Co-Regulation Strategies
Deep Pressure: Offer a "squeeze" or weighted lap pad during the session if the student shows signs of agitation.
Visual Cues: Always pair your verbal instructions with the icons on the choice board.
Processing Time: Wait at least 5-10 seconds for the student to respond after a prompt.
Successive Approximations: Reinforce even small attempts to reach for the board instead of hitting.
Gentle Hands Story
Gentle Hands
Hands are for helping, not for hitting.
I have hands.
My hands are good.
I use my hands for helping.
I use my hands for playing.
Hitting hurts.
We do not hit.
If I feel mad or sad,
I can use my icons.
HELP
BREAK
I can ask for HELP.
I can ask for a BREAK.
Nice hands keep me safe.
Friends are happy!