To celebrate World Book Day 2021, some of our amazing teachers and leaders have recorded their own story sessions for our children and young people and their families to access online. Class teams will also be able to share them in school too with the intention of raising the profile of reading for enjoyment and pleasure. I’m sure that there will be an interesting and diverse range of stories and delivery styles to meet all our pupils needs, although we are limited in keeping them to virtual sessions! For all those who would like a sensory approach to the stories, ideas for including activities will be offered so that you can bring the story to life as you read along on the screen!

While We Can't Hug by Eoin McLaughlin & Polly Dunbar
Read by Michelle

Interaction and Sensory Ideas

While you are reading, stop the video at certain points to allow your child to experience actions and sensations from the story. 
  1. Have spiky objects to represent hedgehog (something as simple as a hairbrush could work) and something slimy or shiny to represent tortoise (for example, a leather bag, washing up liquid). The characters could be represented by these objects. Repeat the name of each character as your child is engaging with each corresponding item. Later, you could move things on further to ask your child who their favourite character/animal was......responses may come through eye gaze, pointing, gesture, signing, or any other positive means. 
  2. Allow your child to experience the sensation of a hug. If they don't enjoy close physical contact, use a different way to make them feel enclosed (for example, using a heavy blanket, allowing them to hug a cuddly toy).
  3. Use bubbles to represent blowing a kiss.
  4. Get the paints out! Explore paints and colours with your child! 
  5. Paint a rainbow!