Too quiet on the Sensory Story Sofa

It has all gone quiet here on the Sensory Story sofa!  Why? Well I am not sure where to go next on my Sensory Story journey.... I have reached a crossroads! There are thoughts are buzzing around my head, more ideas, plans for more stories, more resources keep arriving on my doorstep..... yet I know I need to focus on completing some outstanding documents for inclusion in the teaching resource pack. 

So where am I up to at the moment?

I have now made symbol cards to use alongside the story - a simple task you would think? Well not so! After searching for what seemed an age for clear, black and white simple line drawings to represent each of the five senses I began to wonder whether I should commission my arty daughter to design some 'bespoke' symbols for me......whilst some symbols were easy to source others such as a symbol for 'taste' was nigh on impossible! I have selected a few to trial but might have to invent my own if they don't do the job. The children will be the best judge on this issue!

I have also been playing around with making some simple, large format symbols (much easier to source!) The children will be in control of these symbol cards to assist in communicating their likes and dislikes. I must hasten to add that I do not want them to be used as a replacement to spoken language but rather an aid to supporting and extending communication. Furthermore (in time) these cards will be used as part of their self assessment of their learning through the Sensory Story. This is an area that I really want to read more about and do further work on. . . It is important for the child to communicate to the adult how they feel about the story (in parts and as a whole). This will help the child to express something of how they are feeling especially when faced with a sensory experience which may cause anxiety. Eventually, after several deliveries of the same story I would like to use the symbol cards to identify if the child's view, responses and (where able) vocabulary changes across a set period of time. 

As ever lots more to think about.....off to do some reading now...back soon!