Follow-Along Video
Sing and follow-along with Sophie as she demonstrates The Big Ship Sails as a massage story. Sophie uses some of the ten Story Massage strokes to show how you can sing along to favourite nursery rhymes as a positive touch activity.
You can find the words and strokes here: The Big Ship Sails
World Nursery Rhyme Week
Every year, Early Years educators around the world take part in World Nursery Rhyme Week to promote the importance of nursery rhymes in early childhood development. Each year in November, five nursery rhymes are chosen to be shared over five days. For more information click here: World Nursery Rhyme Week.
Nursery Rhymes and Story Massage
Whilst the initiative is intended for early years educators, we know how many people with dementia can benefit from the comfort and familiarity of nursery rhymes. And for some older learners with special educational needs and disabilities, nursery rhymes with Story Massage strokes are part of the sensory curriculum.
The repetition of key words is an important way of encouraging anticipation and development of memory. Counting songs can help with numeracy skills. And the pattern of the rhymes encourages language and literacy skills. The addition of Story Massage strokes to favourite nursery rhymes further enhances social, physical, and emotional skills for all ages and abilities.
Sarah’s Artwork
The beautiful illustration at the top of this page is by 15 year old Sarah Clarke. Sarah has very complex needs and absolutely loves writing and sharing massage stories! Her mother and sister are both trained in the Story Massage Programme and work at St Giles School in Croydon, one of our Centres of Excellence. So they are a family of Story Massage Ambassadors!
More about the Story Massage Programme
The Story Massage Programme combines the benefits of positive, respectful touch with the creativity and engagement of rhymes, songs and stories. Ten simple massage strokes form the basis of the programme. These strokes have a child friendly name, such as The Circle or The Sprinkle, and an easy to recognise symbol. It is a fully inclusive activity, no clothing is removed and no oil is used.
Would you like to train in the Story Massage Programme?
Would you like to learn more? Sign up for our Story Massage Online Course and help share the benefits with the children or adults in your care – at home or at work.
We teach you how to share the ten Story Massage strokes and work with you to adapt familiar stories and even create some sensory stories of your own. Ideal for all teachers, SEN staff, support staff, therapists, Early Years practitioners, those working with people with additional needs, Baby Massage Instructors, Relax Kids Coaches… everyone with an interest in sharing positive touch activities with children and adults of all ages and abilities.
