Touch

Why does touch matter? Makes us better communicators Vital to our physical and mental health. Essential to our survival Our skin is our body’s largest organ.

Consequences of Touch Deprivation Marasmus: means “wasting away” in Greek. In the 19 th century, more than half of all infants died in the first year of life. Doctors later discovered the disease was caused by lack of touch. In the 20 th century, Ashley Montagu, found that children who were deprived of touch had small lines of retarded growth in their bones.

Benefits of Touch Biological: studies on infants link touch directly to healthy physical development. Known to reduce stress when the hormone oxytocin is released reducing stress hormone: cortisol. Boosts your immune system, lowers blood pressure, helps with asthma, eases migraines and leads to better sleep.

Communication: touch produces a series of neural, glandular, muscular and mental changes that we interpret as emotion

Psychological: Provides reassurance, comfort, self esteem, learning. Social: Increases bonding, trust, understanding others, interpersonal relationships are healthier.

Attachment Harry Harlow

Assignment Everyone will read one of the 2 readings on Touch. You will then get into groups of 4.  2 students should read “the Sense that Shapes the Future”  2 students should read “Evidence that Little Touches Do Mean so Much”  As a group, decide on a claim  List evidence (reasons, facts or details) to support your claim.  Along with your evidence, use an illustration or symbol Put all of this on a small poster and make it look great!