Sensory Storytelling
Sensory storytelling is the process of reading a story and incorporating as many of the 5 senses of sight, sound, touch, taste and hear as possible. By doing this, you are providing children with the empowering opportunity to bring a story to life.
For example, when reading about the big bad wolf blowing the straw house down, you wave a fan in front of them so they feel the wind that would be used in bringing down that house.
Research shows how important Sensory input is for the developing child as that is how children learn. Sensory Storytelling allows children of all abilities to access a story being read to them as they are engaging all senses and not just the standard two (vision and hearing). Without knowing, we favour certain senses over others. Therefore, during these sessions, a child who prefers to listen to the story will receive the benefit as a child who likes to feel a story.
The benefits of Sensory storytelling:
Language development
Learning new words
Builds nerve connections in the brain
Build concentration skills
Builds stamina in problem solving
Encourages thinking ability
Motor skills development
Sensory processing
Prevents special needs related to lack in school readiness
What does a class look like?
We begin with our Hello song followed by a few more songs we sing together while playing with musical instruments.
The story is then introduced and the group is encouraged to dive into the bag of sensory resources they will be using while the story is read and acted out.
After the story, children are then invited to explore the three sensory trays laid out that all align the themes read about in the book for the day.
Finally, the group is brought back to the mat and the class ends with Parachute play activities followed by soothing bubbles to allow for a tranquil ending.