SENSORY STORYTIME (for 3- 5 year olds) AT THE FERGUSON LIBRARY STAMFORD, CT

What is Sensory Storytime? A program that combines the books, songs and movement activities of a typical preschool storytime with therapeutic activities from Sensory Integration. Includes “sensory diet” activities, but this is not therapy Sensory Storytime is good for ALL kids, not just kids with autism or sensory processing issues

Important Elements Pre-Program Parent Participation Predictability (and Repetition) Personalized Peer Inclusion Preparation Program Plan (Picture Schedule)

Pre-Program Provide Social Story Encourage use of Sensory Diet –Alerting, organizing and calming activities before program Library Visit Brochure Visit.pdf Visit.pdf

Parent Participation Regular programs for 3-5 year olds can have one adult for many children Sensory Storytime has close to one-to-one ratio: –Models activities for parents/caregivers –Gives librarian assistance from adults who know children well, so program leader doesn’t have to be an expert –Provides opportunity for parents to network

Predictability (Repetition) Most activities and sequence of activities repeats each week Book for the next session is introduced

Personalized Goal is to make the children feel comfortable and safe. Success is greater participation, not mastery. Many of these families are used to apologizing for their children and trying in vain to control their behaviors. WE WELCOME AND ACCEPT THEM AS THEY ARE!

Peer Inclusion Mix of children with special needs and typically-developing peers This is preparation for included school programs Provides disability awareness for “typical” kids Members of both groups learn from the other children

Preparation Participation in Sensory Storytime helps make the library available to families: Prepares some children to join in other programs Prepares children with ASD for regular library visits with family members or school group Leads to decrease in negative behaviors as children become familiar with the library and staff and feel safe and welcome

Program Plan (Picture Schedule) Shows children what will happen and the order of activities We use Boardmaker from Mayer-Johnson to make schedule and pictures for flannel board

The Program Begins With: Sit In A Circle Children sit on Educubes Parents sit behind children on stools The leader is in front, next to a flannel board

Welcome Shirt Song: ____ is wearing a _____ shirt, ___ is wearing a ____ shirt, and he/she Is here today. Color discrimination, learning names, self-identification, texture of flannel, following directions

Stretch Song Pull on therabands to classic songs (Itsy, Bitsy Spider; Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes; Row, Row, Row Your Boat) We use the yellow (lowest resistance). Heavy muscle work while learning common preschool songs

Brush Your Teeth Oral motor stimulation (and teeth brushing practice) to Raffi “Brush Your Teeth” song We use individually wrapped toothettes, available from Amazon.com

Bean Bag Parade Weighted bean bags (one-half pound each) give proprioceptive input as we march around the room to “Beanbag Parade” by Tumble Tots Bean bags from funandfunction.com

Balance Beam We walk on the oval tactile path to Laurie Berkner’s “Balance Beam” song

Read a Story We use multiple board books when possible

Book-related Sensory Activity For example: Mouse Paint by Ellen Stohl Walsh (mix colors using cool whip and food colors)

Ends With Free Play Time Kids can play in a less structured way Parents can use this time to talk to program leader or each other

For More Information Contact : Barbara Klipper Youth Services Librarian The Ferguson Library 1 Public Library Plaza Stamford, CT (203) June, 2011