Emotions Sound Story (Auditory Sensory Story)

Sound stories are magical auditory journeys that use words and sounds to spark imagination and learning, especially for children with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) and Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learners. The “Emotions Galore” sound story takes kids on a feelings adventure, exploring emotions like happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and calm through rhyming lines and exciting sound effects. This article explains how to bring this story to life, making it fun and meaningful for young listeners. The soundboard is at the bottom of the page.

Steps for Sound Story Delivery

1. Find a Cozy Spot: Pick a quiet, comfy place where kids can focus on the story. Dim the lights a bit for PMLD children who might find bright lights tricky, and keep it warm and distraction-free so everyone feels safe.
2. Set Up Your Sound Kit: Load your device with sound files like laughter, crying, or a gentle breeze. Test them first to make sure they’re clear and not too loud—soft sounds work best for sensitive ears.
3. Read with Feeling: Read each pair of lines slowly and with emotion, like a big smile for “happy” or a quiet voice for “calm.” Pause after each part, then play the sound effect, giving kids time to feel it, especially PMLD children who might need a moment to react.
4. Get Everyone Involved: Ask easy questions like, “How do you feel when you’re happy?” or “What makes you calm?” For PMLD kids, watch for smiles or movements, and let them tap or point if they can. EYFS kids can clap for joy or stomp for anger.
5. Repeat the Fun: Tell the story again in future sessions. Kids love knowing what’s coming, and it helps them connect with the feelings and sounds over time. Mix it up with new questions or actions to keep it fresh.

Teaching Activities Linked to Our Emotions Sound Story

• Feelings Faces: Show pictures of faces (happy, sad, angry) or use a mirror. After each sound, ask kids to make that face or point to the picture. For PMLD kids, guide their hands to touch the face they pick.
• Sound Match: Play the sound effects one by one and ask, “Which feeling is this?” EYFS kids can shout out answers, while PMLD kids can use a smile or a nod with help.
• Emotion Art: Give kids crayons and paper to draw how they feel—bright colors for happy, dark for sad. Play the sounds while they draw to inspire them. PMLD kids can stick pre-cut shapes with support.
• Move to the Mood: Dance to “happy” with big moves, curl up for “sad,” or shake for “angry.” Keep it simple for PMLD kids—maybe sway or tap—while EYFS kids can hop around.
• Feelings Chat: Ask, “What makes you happy?” or “What calms you down?” EYFS kids can share ideas, and PMLD kids can use signs, sounds, or gestures with a helper.

Tips for PMLD Children

• Check for loud sound sensitivity—keep volumes low and watch for discomfort.
• Use their favourite ways to talk, like eye points or hand squeezes, to join in.
• Go slow, giving extra time to feel each emotion and sound.

Tips for EYFS Children

• Make it a game with lots of actions and cheers to keep them excited.
• Use big pictures or toys (like a happy teddy) to show feelings.
• Ask parents to try it at home, maybe acting out “happy” with a dance.

Why It Works: This story helps kids learn about feelings through sounds, which is great for PMLD children who might not talk but feel deeply, and EYFS kids who love exploring emotions. Repeating it builds comfort, and the activities make it a whole-body experience.

“Emotions Galore” Sound Story

(Start with a cheerful tone)

Hello, hello! How are you today?
Sometimes we feel all sorts of ways!
Let’s talk about feelings, big and small,
Ready to listen and hear them all?

Feeling HAPPY? (Use a bright, smiley voice)
Like sunshine warming up your face?
You want to jump all over the place!
You giggle and wiggle, shout “Yippee!”
(Prompt the child) Can you show me? Let’s laugh with glee!
(Press: laughing)

Feeling SAD? (Use a softer, gentle voice)
Uh oh! Did your block tower fall down flat?
Or maybe you lost your favourite hat?
Tears might bubble in your eyes, sniffle, sniffle…
(Prompt the child) Sometimes we need a little cry.
(Press: crying)

Feeling ANGRY? (Use a slightly firmer, frustrated voice – not scary!)
Grrrr! Did someone take your toy?
Oh boy, oh boy, oh BOY!
You might STOMP your feet – BAM! BAM!
And want to shout out, “That’s my jam!”
(Prompt the child) Let’s make a little angry sound!
(Press: yelling)

Feeling SURPRISED? (Use a wide-eyed, excited voice)
Like… PEEK-A-BOO! I see you!
Or finding a ladybug on your shoe!
Your eyes go POP! Your mouth goes “O!”
(Prompt the child) Make a surprise sound, here we go!
(Press: gasp)

Feeling EXCITED? (Use a bouncy, fast voice)
Wowee! Are we going to the park? Hooray!
Or maybe it’s your birthday today?
You might bounce and wiggle, can’t sit still!
(Prompt the child) Let’s hear that happy sound again, if you will!
(Press: happy or laughing again)

Feeling DISAPPOINTED? (Use a slightly droopy, sighing voice)
Aww, man! Did the rain spoil your play?
Or did your yummy snack get taken away?
Your shoulders might slump, you let out a sigh…
(Prompt the child) Like a little sad sound passing by.
(Press: Disappointed)

Feeling SCARED? (Use a quieter, slightly shaky voice)
Eek! Was that a big dog’s loud BARK?
Or a funny shadow in the dark?
You might hide behind a grown-up, tight…
(Prompt the child) And take a shaky breath from fright.
(Press: Scared)

Feeling CALM? (Use a very soft, slow, soothing voice)
Ahhh. Like after a story, soft and low.
Or watching gentle breezes blow.
Take a big, deep breath, nice and slow… whooosh…
(Prompt the child) Like the quiet wind begins to blow.
(Press: Calm)

(Concluding, warm voice)
Happy, sad, excited, mad,
Surprised or calm, or feeling bad (like disappointed or scared),
All your feelings, every one,
Are okay beneath the sun!
Hooray for feelings! Give a cheer!
Thanks for playing with sounds right here!

(Press: Cheer)

Emotions Galore Soundboard