Storytime is an excellent way to connect with our children and help them unwind from the day. But what if story time went beyond just words and pictures on a page and incorporated touch and smell, engaging more senses? This type of storytelling makes stories more engaging and comes alive in their minds. It’s also an excellent way to engage children with sensory processing issues.
In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to create an enriching sensory story time at home to help evolve and grow the experience for you both.
Understanding Sensory Story Time
Sensory story time integrates various sensory experiences—touch, smell, sound, sight, and sometimes taste—into the reading of a story. This approach makes the story more engaging and supports children's sensory development. It provides a controlled environment for children with sensory processing issues to explore different sensory inputs, helping them better understand and manage their reactions.
Benefits of Sensory Story Time:
There are many benefits associated with sensory storytime. These include:
- Enhanced Sensory Processing: These story experiences help children become more comfortable with different sensory inputs that they may typically reject in everyday life.
- Improved Language Skills: Sensory story time engages multiple senses, aiding in any child's comprehension and retention of words and concepts.
- Emotional Regulation: At the end of a long day, storytime provides a calming and enjoyable activity that can help regulate emotions and wind a child down after a hard day or even in the middle of the day.
Preparing for Sensory Story Time
Before you embark on your storytelling journey, there are a few steps to ensure you create the best environment possible. These include:
Choosing the Right Book
Select books that are rich in sensory descriptions and have interactive elements. Books with repetitive phrases, rhythmic language, and vivid imagery are ideal. Some excellent examples include:
- "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" by Michael Rosen: This book's repetitive and rhythmic nature makes it perfect for sensory storytime. The vivid descriptions of different terrains offer numerous opportunities for sensory engagement.
- "Press Here" by Hervé Tullet: An interactive book that encourages children to press, shake, and tilt the book, making it an excellent choice for tactile and interactive experiences.
Gathering Materials:
You'll need various materials to engage all the senses; luckily, not all of them have to be purchased because some of them you will have around the house. Common items include:
- Tactile Objects: Fabric swatches, textured toys, or homemade sensory bags filled with different materials like rice, beans, or beads.
- Scented Items: Scented markers, essential oils, or scented stickers that match elements of the story (e.g., the scent of flowers or food).
- Sound-Making Tools: Bells, shakers, or pre-recorded sounds that can bring story elements to life, such as the sound of rain or animal noises.
- Visual Aids: Flashcards, picture books, or light-up toys that can illustrate the story's events or characters.
Setting Up the Environment:
Create a cozy, distraction-free space. A reading nook with soft lighting, comfortable seating, and minimal noise is perfect. Ensure all materials are within reach and organized to prevent storytime interruptions.
Step-by-Step Guide to Sensory Story Time
Once you have gathered all your items and created your reading space, it’s time to start storytime! Follow these steps for the most engaging experience for you and your child:
Step 1: Reading Aloud with Expression
Use different voices and intonations to make the story come alive. Changing your voice for different characters and emphasizing key parts of the story will capture your child’s attention and make the story more engaging. Encourage your child to participate by repeating phrases or acting out scenes. This helps to keep them engaged and makes the story more memorable.
Step 2: Incorporating Tactile Elements
As you read, introduce tactile objects that correspond to the story. This helps to connect the words they hear with physical sensations. For example:
- If the story mentions a fluffy bunny, provide a soft piece of fabric for your child to touch.
- If the story involves sand, use a small tray of sand or a sandpaper square to help your child feel it.
- If the story mentions a bumpy road, provide a piece of bubble wrap or a textured mat to touch.
Step 3: Engaging the Other Senses
Incorporate elements to engage smell, sound, and visual. For example, if a character is baking cookies, you might use a scented sticker that smells like cookies or a drop of vanilla extract on a cotton ball. For a scene with rain, play a sound recording of rainfall or use a small hand-held rain stick. For visuals, utilize flashcards or illustrations to show pictures of trees and animals.
Step 4: Encouraging Interaction
Ask questions, encourage movement, and let your child explore the sensory materials. This interaction fosters engagement and makes the experience more dynamic and enjoyable.
Some questions include, "What do you think will happen next?" or "How does this feel?"
While for movement, encourage your child to mimic actions from the story, such as hopping like a bunny or pretending to swim.
Tips for Success
With any storytime, there will be successful times and days when it might not go as planned. Following these tips, though, will help set you up for the best experience possible:
Flexibility & Adaptability:
Be prepared to adjust the story time to suit your child's needs. If a sensory input is overwhelming, tone it down or switch to something else. The goal is to make the experience enjoyable and stress-free.
Observing & Responding to Reactions:
Pay attention to your child's reactions and be ready to adapt. If your child shows signs of overstimulation, such as covering ears or fidgeting, introduce calming activities like deep breathing or gentle rocking. You might also reduce the number of sensory inputs if your child seems overwhelmed.
Consistency & Routine:
Having a regular sensory story time routine helps children know what to expect, making them more comfortable and engaged. However, keep it varied enough to maintain their interest. Establish a set time for sensory story time, but rotate books and materials to keep things fresh.
Troubleshooting Common Challenges
Even with the perfect set-up, it’s essential to know how to handle common challenges that might come your way:
Dealing with Overstimulation:
Watch for signs like covering ears, fidgeting, or withdrawing so you can act quickly if these occur. If they do, try to introduce calming sensory inputs such as soft textures or calming scents and create a quiet corner where your child can retreat if they feel overwhelmed.
Keeping Children Engaged:
Alternate between high-energy and calming stories. Use props and interactive elements to keep the experience dynamic. Shorter, more frequent story times can be more effective than longer sessions. Incorporate your child’s interests into the stories to maintain their attention.
Start Sensory Story Time Today!
Sensory storytime is a powerful tool for engaging children's senses and fostering a love for reading. By carefully selecting materials, setting up a comfortable environment, and interacting dynamically with the story, you can create a magical experience that supports sensory development and emotional well-being. Start your sensory storytime journey today and watch stories come alive in new and exciting ways.