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

Pollett-Arniel, Judith (1989) A study of touch as a mode of nonverbal communication as used by grade three teachers in selected Newfoundland schools. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (20MB) [English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. (Original Version)

Abstract

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.

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