The Story Therapeutic massage Programme is a enjoyable and efficient means of instructing curriculum subjects at St Giles Faculty in Surrey. On the coronary heart of the event of the programme is a devoted workforce, working alongside Lynne Fort (pictured under), who has been a Greater Degree Educating Assistant on the college for over 20 years. “The advantages of the programme are simply wonderful,” says Lynne, “We’ve had many truly magical and sudden moments of interplay and communication. It is a crucial a part of the the totally different pathways which are central to the curriculum.”

Interplay and Communication

St Giles Faculty caters for youngsters with advanced bodily difficulties, medical wants, speech and language difficulties and a spread of related studying difficulties aged 4 – 16. There’s additionally a Additional Schooling unit for younger folks with profound and a number of studying difficulties aged 16-19. “The scholars and employees all take pleasure in our Story Therapeutic massage classes,” says Lynne, “It’s fantastic to see how everybody relaxes after which all of us really feel so calm on the finish. There’s a noticeable change in behaviours. We would get rewarded with a smile or a squeeze of the hand from a scholar, and moments like this imply a lot.”

Curriculum Subjects

Lynne hyperlinks the therapeutic massage tales to curriculum subjects which have included: The Nice Outside and The Victorians (see under). She makes use of props to set the scene after which information a video demonstration of the therapeutic massage story on the favored St Giles teddy bear. Lynne makes this right into a powerpoint presentation with smooth music taking part in within the background. “A presentation on an iPad implies that everybody within the class can comply with alongside collectively,” says Lynne, “It’s a complete class expertise. There’s a sense of being collectively in a completely inclusive and supportive ambiance. We normally have a most of 8 in a category with adults sharing the therapeutic massage with the scholars. A few college students would possibly select to therapeutic massage an grownup – all of it is dependent upon how they’re a sense on the day.”

Rest and Repetition

Curriculum-based Story Therapeutic massage classes are held weekly in numerous lessons. They all the time start with aware respiratory to assist everybody chill out and be ‘within the second’. Lights are turned off, permission is sought after which employees follow-along with the topic-related video demonstration. “We take it very slowly and look ahead to verbal and non-verbal suggestions so we are able to alter strokes for max profit to the person scholar,” says Lynne, “We repeat the identical therapeutic massage story through the time period as this helps the scholars get used to the rhythm and the phrases. Repetition is so essential for studying.”

Creativity and Enjoyable

Lynne can also be very inventive in utilizing sensory props and started introducing on a regular basis gadgets as therapeutic massage ‘instruments’ throughout lockdown to create the feeling of the strokes with out utilizing palms. This was so successful with college students that she continues to make use of this stuff on events to fluctuate the teachings. For instance, she would possibly use picket spoons to create the feeling of The Circle and The Fan strokes, and paintbrushes for The Wave stroke. “I like being inventive,” says Lynne, “And the Story Therapeutic massage Programme provides fantastic flexibility inside the ten strokes.”

Extra concerning the Story Therapeutic massage Programme

The Story Therapeutic massage Programme combines the advantages of constructive, respectful contact with the creativity and engagement of storytelling. Ten primary therapeutic massage strokes are the muse of the programme. These strokes have a easy identify, akin to The Circle or The Sprinkle, and a straightforward to recognise image making it accessible for all. It’s a absolutely inclusive exercise, no clothes is eliminated and no oil is used. Tales could be taken from our Story Therapeutic massage e-book, tailored from favorite tales or songs or you’ll be able to create your personal therapeutic massage tales.

Would you want to coach within the Story Therapeutic massage Programme?

Are you impressed by Lynn’s work inside the pre-formal curriculum at St Giles Faculty? Do you wish to discover out extra? All the knowledge is right here: On-line Coaching Course.

You’ll discover ways to share the ten Story Therapeutic massage strokes, adapt acquainted tales and even create some sensory tales of your personal. Splendid for well-being coaches, therapists, academics, SEN employees, assist employees, Early Years practitioners, these working with folks with extra wants, everybody with an curiosity in sharing constructive contact actions with adults or youngsters.