As part of World Nursery Rhyme Week 2020, we are bringing you daily videos and downloads of the five nursery rhymes celebrated during the week. This blog features Hickory Dickory Dock.
As part of World Nursery Rhyme Week 2020, we are bringing you daily videos and downloads of the five nursery rhymes celebrated during the week. This blog features Five Little Speckled Frogs.
As part of World Nursery Rhyme Week 2020, we are bringing you daily videos and downloads of the five nursery rhymes celebrated during the week. This blog features The Wheels on the Bus.
It is World Nursery Rhyme Week 2020 from November 16th to 20th with a wealth of free supporting resources from the WNRW website. And we are adding to this amazing collection with FREE Story Massage resources to help you share positive touch activities during the week.
We are thrilled to announce the Pyramid Care Fostering Service is our Centre of Excellence 2020. This prestigious award is presented to schools, charities and organisations where at least four members of staff are trained in the Story Massage Programme and they have been using it for over a year.
Many congratulations to our latest Best Practice Award winners 2020 who have all shown amazing creativity and enthusiasm for the programme, especially during lockdown. Here is a brief look at just some of the ways that members of our Story Massage community are sharing the programme in a range of settings.
Adding a multi-sensory dimension to storytelling brings a greater sense of engagement, communication and enjoyment for many children and adults. This blog post shows how sensory props and sensory approaches can work alongside the Story Massage Programme to create a fully inclusive and magical experience.
Many nurseries, schools and colleges are continuing the Story Massage Programme by teaching self-massage on hands and arms. Compliant with social distancing, beneficial for well-being… and a fun and creative activity that can be combined with curriculum topics.
After completing our online course, you have the option of becoming a Story Massage Instructor. Here are some answers to your questions.
Do I need to become a Story Massage Instructor?
You only need this extra certificate if you are an independent practitioner/therapist planning to gain insurance to run Story Massage groups such as sessions in schools, family groups, after-school clubs, library sessions or Baby Story Massage groups. Once you have gained your Story Massage Instructor Certificate this can be sent to your insurers. The course is accredited by FHT (Federation of Holistic Therapists).
Please note this is not a qualification to train others to use the Story Massage Programme in the workplace. There are only two Story Massage Programme trainers – Mary Atkinson and Sandra Hooper.
What are the pre-requisites?
The Story Massage Programme online course is a CPD course. In order to gain a Story Massage Instructor certificate you will need to have a qualification that includes a component in sharing massage, reflexology or yoga with groups of children or families. Some of the recognised qualifications that fulfil the criteria are below but please contact us as others may also be accepted:
MISP (Massage in Schools Programme), Impact (Kind Hands) or Relax Kids Coach
Light Touch Reflexology for Babies, Toddlers and Children or Baby Reflex
Infant Massage Instructor or Baby Massage Instructor
Baby Yoga Instructor or ITEC Diploma in Infant and Child Massage
How can I apply?
- In addition to the course assessment questions, we ask you to send us a short video for assessment. Below is an example of a video from a student who has now qualified as a Story Massage Instructor. Your demonstration can be done on a child, teddy or even a pet. We expect you to show respectful touch, correct application of strokes, appropriate repetition of strokes, flow and linking of strokes with words. You can choose any poem, song or story. The video can be sent via whatever method suits you best to info@storymassage.co.uk
- We charge a small fee of £25 for administration of your Story Massage Instructor Certificate. Please email your name (for certificate) and postal address to: info@storymassage.co.uk and we will issue you with an invoice. Certificates of Completion can be changed to Story Massage Instructor if you gain the necessary qualifications within 3 years of completing the Story Massage Programme online course.
Please note: All adults working with children or vulnerable adults require an enhanced DBS certificate (Disclosure and Barring Service) or equivalent. Therapists are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct and Professional Practice of their professional organisation.
Follow-along with five festive rhymes adapted for the Story Massage Programme and demonstrated by Mary Atkinson, co-founder of the programme. We encourage you to relax and enjoy some feel-good time with the special people in your bubble.
