Some young children and individuals with special educational needs and disabilities dislike or even have a fear of certain types of weather e.g. Thunder and lightning or very windy weather.
The weather is a constant and changing presence in our lives, therefore it is important to help individuals build a sensory tolerance and understanding of the different types of weather conditions and how they affect us.
Many of the clothes and items used for taking precautions in different weathers often have textures and smells that may be overwhelming for an individual with sensory processing needs e.g. wearing hats and sunglasses and tolerating wearing sunscreen in hot weather or wearing or a waterproof jacket and wellingtons in the rainy weather.
This resource aims to address these sensory challenges through a fully resourced, step-by-step multisensory story.
Repeated exposure in a safe environment can help to desensitise and familiarise the sensory experiences associated with the weather for the sensory explorer.
This resource includes fun and motivating, sensory extension activities that will build communication skills and connect the sensory explorer to science in a way that is meaningful to their lives.
A multisensory story is told using sensory stimuli (props).
The story props are low budget, everyday items found around the home, garden, outdoor areas and in the classroom.
This story includes themed, sensory extension activities that link to the EYFS Framework and areas of the KS1 National Curriculum making them the perfect resource for Special Education (aged 3-19) EYFS, Mainstream Primary, Speech & Language and EAL students.
What are the Benefits of Multisensory Storytelling?
1. Storytelling creates a bond between the storyteller and the story explorer enhancing and enriching experiences.
2. Rhyming Multisensory Stories connect the individual to literature, culture and topic in a fun and engaging way.
3. The stories form a base on which to scaffold learning enabling the student to work on personal goals and individual targets.
4. The activities in the stories are designed to promote communication skills: (eye contact, listening, shared attention & language development), self-confidence & well-being (trying out new ideas & skills, practicing self-care & independence and enjoying achievement), self-awareness: (asking for 'help', 'again' and 'more'), present opportunities to explore cause & effect and build anticipation skills, promote physical development: (fine & gross motor skills), build knowledge about the environment & the world around us, to engage in scientific experimentation and mathematical concepts and to develop social & emotional skills: (turn-taking & sharing and teamwork).
5. The sensory stimuli (story props) are a tool for the story explorer to explore and express their likes, dislikes and sensory preferences and to have the opportunity to make choices.
This information can be used to identify motivators or items to calm and individual when anxious, tired or stressed, identify triggers, (some you may wish to avoid, others to work on building tolerance through desensitisation in a safe and therapeutic environment) and used in the writing of care plans to enhance areas daily life.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Health & Safety
Story Props
The Weather – Full Poem
How To Tell a Multisensory Story
The Weather Step-by-Step Multisensory Poem
Weather Themed Listening Game
Weather Themed Sensory Bag
Weather Themed Sensory Bin
Seasonal Weather Boxes
Weather Themed Art & Craft
Record the Weather
The Weather Forecast
Weather Observation & Scientific Exploration
Project a Rainbow
Rainbow’s End Treasure Hunt
Weather Activity Ideas & Inspiration
FAQ
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