SMART VS SCRUFFY Targets for SLD & PMLD Learners

SMART VS SCRUFFY Targets for SLD & PMLD Learners 1

Planting Seeds vs. Scoring Goals: The Debate Between SMART and SCRUFFY Targets for SLD and PMLD Learners In the quiet corners of special education classrooms, a quiet revolution is taking place. For decades, teachers have been told that for a goal to be valid, it must be “SMART.” We’ve all sat in meetings, squinting at … Read more

DIY Sensory Kits for Bible Storytelling Adventures

DIY Sensory Kits for Bible Storytelling Adventures 2

How to Build an Immersive Bible Story From a Cardboard Box and Some Herbs You know that cupboard in the church hall? The one that smells vaguely of damp and old coffee? Inside, there’s probably a box. And in that box, there are the “story props.” A laminated picture of a sheep (slightly peeling), a … Read more

Emotions Sound Story (Auditory Sensory Story)

Emotions Sound Story (Auditory Sensory Story) 3

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 … Read more

Transport Sound Story

Transport Sound Story 4

Transport Sound Story: A Rhyming Journey This fun sound story takes young learners on a journey through the busy streets and countryside of the UK. The story uses simple rhyming couplets and clear sound effects to help bring various modes of transport to life. Use a soundboard to play the matching sound after each couplet … Read more

Easter Sound Story

Easter Sound Story 5

Easter Sound Story: A Sensory Adventure for Little Learners This simple, joyful Easter sound story is designed to captivate EYFS and PMLD learners with fun rhymes and engaging sound effects. Using a soundboard with recorded sounds helps bring the story to life while supporting sensory and language development. Read the story slowly, play the sound … Read more

Knights of the Castle: A Sensory Sound Story

Knights of the Castle: A Sensory Sound Story 6

Introduction (Auditory Focus): “Listen closely, brave adventurers! Can you hear the clinking of armour and the sound of hooves on the cobblestones? We’re off on a grand adventure to a magical castle, where knights ride through the forest, fight dragons, and protect the kingdom. Let’s listen to the sounds of their journey—clashing swords, roaring dragons, … Read more

Space Sound Story: EYFS/PMLD

Space Sound Story: EYFS/PMLD 7

Space Sound Story: Rocket to the Stars Welcome to our magical sound journey through space! Today we’re going on an exciting adventure in a rocket ship, where our ears will help us explore the wonders above the clouds. Get ready to listen carefully as we blast off into the stars! This space sound story serves … Read more

Pirate Sound Story: PMLD/EYFS

Pirate Sound Story: PMLD/EYFS 8

Here’s a simple rhyming pirate-themed Sound Story designed for engaging PMLD or calming early years learners. Each verse is accompanied by suggested sounds and sensory effects to enhance the storytelling experience, such as the gentle lapping of waves, the creaking of a ship’s wood, and the distant call of seabirds. We are big pirate fans … Read more

Rainy Day Sound Story

Rainy Day Sound Story 9

Introduction to The Rainy Day Sound Story Hello storytellers, a sound story is a special, immersive experience designed for SEN learners, helping them explore the world through sound. This story, The Rainy Day, focuses on the learners auditory sense, using simple rhymes, gentle rhythms, and carefully chosen sounds to create a rich and engaging experience. … Read more

PMLD: An Ethics of Care Approach to Emotional Well-being in Special Schools

PMLD: An Ethics of Care Approach to Emotional Well-being in Special Schools 10

Understanding the Ethics of Care Framework The ethics of care framework revolutionises special education by prioritising emotional well-being through interdependence and relational connections. This approach fundamentally transforms how special schools support both pupils with profound intellectual disabilities and staff members, creating an environment where mutual care and understanding flourish. Adherents of an ethics of care … Read more

Olympic-Inspired PMLD Sensory Activities

Olympic-Inspired PMLD Sensory Activities 11

Sensory Activity Guide for PMLD Learners Inspired by the Olympics and the Olympic Rings With the next Olympics nearly upon us here is a detailed activity guide tailored for children with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD), based on the colours of the Olympic rings. Each ring colour has multiple colour-focussed activities designed to provide … Read more

You Might Be A Reindeer: Free Sensory Story

You Might Be A Reindeer: Free Sensory Story 12

You Might Be a Reindeer: Dressing Up EYFS and PMLD Sensory Story A quick and simple dressing-up sensory story. You Might Be a Reindeer! This is really easy to create for an EYFS, SLD or PMLD classroom activity for the winter term. You may also like our You Might Be Santa and You Might Be … Read more

You Might Be A Snowman

You Might Be A Snowman 13

As I step outside into the cold air and crunch through the fresh, fluffy snow, the bright white flakes glisten in the morning sun. I gather up a glove full of snow and squash it into a tight ball. This will be our Snowman… Our dressing up style winter Sensory Story uses simple language to … Read more

Sensory Story: You Might be Santa

Sensory Story: You Might be Santa 14

A Free Christmas Sensory Story You might be Santa forms part of our “You might be” style sensory story collection. These stories are based on becoming the character by adding props or a costume. They are super simple and designed to appeal to as wide a range of learners and curriculum topics as possible. To … Read more

The Power of Multi-Sensory Rooms in Schools

The Power of Multi-Sensory Rooms in Schools 15

Evidence-Based Use of Multi-Sensory Rooms in Schools Multi-Sensory rooms in schools are a fantastic resource but often represent a significant investment in space and money. Inclusive education is a cornerstone of modern society, and special needs teachers play a vital role in ensuring that every student receives the support they need to thrive academically and … Read more

“Walking in a Winter Wonderland” Sensory Story Style

"Walking in a Winter Wonderland" Sensory Story Style 16

Winter Wonderland – Christmas Sensory Song For information about delivering sensory stories please see our main Free Sensory Story page. This is not technically a Sensory Story but we will be using the lyrics to the song “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” and linking each line with a sensory resource or action. You will know … Read more

Finger Painting and its Educational Benefits For Children

Finger Painting and its Educational Benefits For Children Cover Image

Finger Painting: A Fun and Educational Activity Finger painting is such a fun, messy activity for Children. I love seeing my little one explore colours and textures through this process. Not only is it entertaining, but finger painting also provides several educational benefits. It is mentioned in the EYFS Development Matters Curriculum Guidance from the … Read more

Sensory Curriculum Models and Benefits

PMLD learner enjoying a Sensory Session - Benefits of a sensory curriculum

Understanding The Importance of a Planned Sensory Curriculum Sensory learning is a popular, creative and innovative approach to education that encourages children to explore the world around them and experience things firsthand. By engaging their senses, children can interact with new environments, materials, and textures that enrich their understanding of the world. The benefits of … Read more

You Might Be A Dragon: Sensory Story

You Might Be A Dragon: Sensory Story 17

You Might be a Dragon: A Simple Multi-Sensory Story The aim of You Might Be a Dragon is to simplify a Story to encourage imaginative play. You may want to use it as an activity as part of a topic such as Castles, Myths and Legends, or pair it with reading more complex books. there … Read more

Sensory Story: You Might be an Alien

Sensory Story: You Might be an Alien 20

This Alien sensory story continues our “You Might be” series of simple sensory based stories that are based around a single character concept. Your learner can dress up as the character or just explore each element. You can easily create an immersive sensory space for Aliens by lighting up the room red and green or … Read more