Today is World Book Day and this year’s theme is Read Your Way.
Exploring the different ways children can enjoy stories is something we put into practise every day at Tŷ Hafan.
Not all the children who come to our hospice can read a book in the same way as other children, so we need to get creative with the way we see books and storytelling.
Making stories and books more accessible
Storytelling at Tŷ Hafan is a multi-sensory experience. We try to involve each of the senses during a story so it’s really immersive for the child. We find ways to include sight, smell, touch, sound and even taste! They don’t just listen to the story; they get to take part in it too.
Karen, one of our Therapeutic Playworkers, uses lots of props like musical instruments, fluffy teddies, water and herbs throughout the story to engage a child’s senses.
Each prop helps to bring the story to life. The person telling the story might use a tray of water to mimic dipping your fingers in a stream, a drum to sound like a friendly giant’s footsteps, or a floral scent to create the feeling of travelling through a field of flowers.
The child enjoying the sensory story is often the main character. They are the one exploring the woods with a friendly bear, playing music on a pirate ship or meeting an alien on a far-off planet. They get to be the star.
These stories can also be adjusted to include more than one child, so a sibling can get involved in the story too.
Karen shared, “Sensory storytelling is a powerful way to create immersive and inclusive experiences, making stories accessible and enjoyable for everyone. It allows us to connect with children on a deeper level, sparking imagination and bringing stories to life in a truly unique way.”
This World Book Day, we celebrate all the ways children can experience the magic of stories — because every child deserves to be part of the adventure, in their own way.
