Seasonal VISUAL Supports

Story massage involves the use of easy-to-follow massage strokes associated with spoken words that help build an engaging story. The strokes described here are shown on the back, arms, and head but you can adapt these for your child’s hands, feet, legs, and face as appropriate. You can sit, lie, or stand, and it is a fun and interactive way of sharing the many benefits of nurturing and positive touch.

There are many benefits of story massage including:

• An alternative and engaging way of encouraging children to develop a wider vocabulary

• A fun way for families and friends to share time together and connect with each other

Here, we are including the massage strokes for our themed story, ‘Countdown to Christmas’. The words are to be read aloud (see accompanying handout) and accompanied by a corresponding massage stroke.

Click on the image for pdf

Makaton is a language programme using signs and symbols to help children to communicate. Makaton is designed to support spoken language. Child can use signs and their voice to say the word at the same time – Makaton does not replace speech, It enhances it. Click on the image for some 'Makaton Signs for Christmas'.