Dear Santa Sensory Story and Teaching Activities Pack

Join our character as they explore their wish list to Santa with this festive sensory story that can be enjoyed by sensory learners of all ages.

This comprehensive teaching pack which includes ‘Dear Santa’, a fully resourced, step by step multisensory story, and themed, sensory ideas and activities aimed at supporting the five areas of the engagement model, creativity, independence, building communication skills, and supporting other areas of learning linking to curriculum subjects and topics.

Perfect for students (aged 3-19) following pre-formal/sensory, semi-formal or formal pathways, EYFS, Year 1, SALT and EAL students in special and mainstream education.

Table of Contents
Organising Story props and Resources
Story Props and Resources Checklist
How to Tell a Multisensory Story Guide
Dear Santa - A Fully Resourced Multisensory Story
Christmas Themed Listening Activities
Adapting the poem into a play
Christmas Sensory Bag
40 Festive Activity Ideas
The Sleigh Ride - A Guided Relaxation Adventure
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.

What are the Benefits of Multisensory Storytelling?

1. Storytelling creates a bond between the storyteller and the story explorer enhancing and enriching experiences.

2. Multisensory Stories connect the individual to literature, culture, history 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:
   Initiation and sensory exploration
   Communication skills: anticipation, eye contact, listening, shared attention, and language development
   Self-confidence and well-being: trying out new ideas, and skills, persistence, practicing self-care, independence and enjoying achievement
   Self-awareness: asking for ‘help’, ‘again’ and ‘more’
   Opportunities to explore cause & effect and build anticipation skills
   Physical Development
   Engagement in scientific experimentation and mathematical concepts
   Development of social & emotional skills: turn-taking & sharing, teamwork, persistence

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.

Your questions, queries, comments, or feedback are always welcome.

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Thank you for looking:)