Sensory Stories
Sensory Stories are a fantastic resource when working
in Special Needs settings.
Everyone loves a story and I believe that a well
resourced, planned and presented one is hard to beat!
I told my first Sensory Story while working with a group of students with PMLD (Profound and Multiple Learning
Difficulties) at Talbot Specialist School in Sheffield 2019. I drew on my early Artist
Working in Special Education Training and also my experience of
working with the Blind and Visually impaired learners at Bilston Craft Gallery,
West Midlands. This was invaluable especially as three of the students in this class at Talbot Specialist school were also completely blind.
Since then I have built up an an impressive library of Sensory Stories and have enjoyed working with my staff team to deliver them. It is good to see how my Teaching Assistants’ confidence in delivering these stories has grown; this especially during my time at NorthRidge Community School.
I have simplified stories such as Roald Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine and even rewritten stories if need be; Toddle Waddle is an example of that.
Sourcing appropriate props is both fun and a challenge.
Props used in Eric Carle’s The Tiny Seed include; fans, ice, fake snow, sand, hot water bottles, water poured from a watering can, a feather boa, and aroma therapy oils.
Since then I have built up an an impressive library of Sensory Stories and have enjoyed working with my staff team to deliver them. It is good to see how my Teaching Assistants’ confidence in delivering these stories has grown; this especially during my time at NorthRidge Community School.
I have simplified stories such as Roald Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine and even rewritten stories if need be; Toddle Waddle is an example of that.
Sourcing appropriate props is both fun and a challenge.
Props used in Eric Carle’s The Tiny Seed include; fans, ice, fake snow, sand, hot water bottles, water poured from a watering can, a feather boa, and aroma therapy oils.
Different ways of experiencing a bird - feather boa, spring bird peg and sound button.
As a class team we have made symbolised and laminated versions of our sensory stories. For blind and visually impaired students, learning
experiences which include a range of tactile and auditory stimuli are essential.
Through my own art practice www.kirstyesmith.co.uk I already use a wide range of materials which are of
interest both for their tactile qualities and also their visual
qualities but I also souce props which are of interest because of the sounds that they
make.
Successful Sensory Stories have simplified language and focus more on how the story can be experienced through the senses.
However the storyteller / teacher can make use of their voice and add drama, excitement and build anticipation.
When working with students with Special Needs there are other factors to consider too:
· Do they have impaired hearing?
· Do they have a visual imairement?
· Is there a danger of causing sensory overload?
· What are their communication abilities and methods? Eyegaze, Object Transfer, (Picture Exchange Communication System), ACC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices)
Successful Sensory Stories have simplified language and focus more on how the story can be experienced through the senses.
However the storyteller / teacher can make use of their voice and add drama, excitement and build anticipation.
When working with students with Special Needs there are other factors to consider too:
· Do they have impaired hearing?
· Do they have a visual imairement?
· Is there a danger of causing sensory overload?
· What are their communication abilities and methods? Eyegaze, Object Transfer, (Picture Exchange Communication System), ACC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices)
This Granny has a helium balloon for her head: In our classroom telling of George’s Marvellous Medicine, her ribbon neck grows and grows until her head touches the ceiling!
Mr Benn the Diver, a classic story by David McKee.
Props used: flippers, a sparkly mermaid tail, mermaid dolls, toy submarines in a water tray and also cowrie sea shells to handle and listen to.