This song promotes the important behaviors of self-control including:

• showing patience 
• sharing with other children 
• cooperating with others

Lyrics                                  
Chris got crowded by the other girls and boys.
They bumped her and pushed her and took away her toys
She felt hurt and sad, and wished she had, the courage to say;
Chorus

Be careful with my space, please. I'll be careful with your space too.
There's space enough when everyone agrees to be careful, me and you.
The next day Chris got crowded again.
Every time she found a space someone else would rush right in.
After being pushed around, she finally found the courage to say STOP!
Repeat Chorus

The others were surprised, They didn't realize that they were in her way.
They apologized and learned to compromise.
Now every day you can hear then say.
Repeat Chorus

Tips for Parents

• Ask your child, "What does it mean if you are feeling crowded? If someone is too close to you and it is making you feel mad, what can you do?"
• When the lyrics express the feelings associated with being "crowded," hunch up your shoulders and clasp your arms tight to your side.
• When the lyrics talk about "my space," make a circle out in front of you with your arms.
• When the girl in the song says "STOP," hold out one hand like a stop sign.
• When the children "apologized," clasp your hands together in front of you and smile.
• Take Your Feeling Temperature - Make half a color wheel by drawing a half-circle and dividing it into three colored sections starting with yellow (gold), then orange in the middle, then red.  Write "warm", "hot" and "burning" over the three colors.  Use a pencil as the "indicator" and discuss how different words relate to different feelings and outcomes.

The Research Behind This Song
Passive victims of bullying in kindergarten tend to have fewer friends and often play alone (Alsaker, 2003).  They benefit from self-assertiveness training.

Books to Read with Children
I Did It, I'm Sorry by Caralyn Buehner

This song is part of our Songs of Self-Control series, which consist of the following twelve song titles:
Breathe
Emotion
I Get Angry
Self Control
Stop and Think
Three Rules
Be Careful
Down in the Dumps
Golden Words
I Can Settle Down
I Can Wait
When a Kite Flies