Teaching ideas and inspiration to celebrate the month of February including Chinese New Year, Candlemas, St Brigid’s Day, National Wear Red Day, Parinirvana Day, Valentine’s Day, Vasant Panchami, Shrove Tuesday, plus book your FREE place on the ‘Holi’ Multisensory Workshop!
Dates at a Glance
- 1st Feb – St Brigid’s Day
- 2nd Feb – Candlemas
- 2nd Feb – National Wear Red Day
- 10th Feb – Chinese New Year
- 10th Feb – Losar
- 13th Feb – World Radio Day
- 13th Feb – Shrove Tuesday
- 14th Feb – Valentine’s Day
- 14th Feb – Vasant Panchami
- 15th Feb – Parinirvana Day
- 18th Feb – Discovery of Pluto
- 27th Feb – International Polar Bear Day
1st Feb
St Brigid’s Day
St Brigid lived around the same time as St Patrick and was influenced by his teachings to become a Christian. She was known for her generosity.
- Celebrate by making/tasting potatoes with butter, add cabbage to make colcannon and serve with soda bread.
St Brigid once gave away her mother’s entire store of butter!
Churn you own butter
You will need:
- A small, lidded jar
- Whipping cream
- A clean marble
Method
- 1/4 fill the jar with whipping cream
- Add the clean marble
- Secure the lid
- Shake vigorously
It will take approximately 15 minutes for the cream to solidify so this is an ideal opportunity to practice turn-taking skills!
- Taste the butter on a toasted soda bread.
- Flavour your butter by adding fresh chopped herbs: coriander, parsley or add spices or honey.
Make a St Brigid’s Cross
Traditionally made from woven rushes, when displayed in the home, the cross is thought to ward off evil, fire, and hunger.
- Explore making a cross using different materials, card, grasses, pipe cleaners, raffia, ribbons, straws.
2nd Feb
Candlemas
A Christian holy day which also draws some of its roots from paganism (in pre-Christian times Candlemas marked the mid-point of winter.)
Traditionally, people bring candles to church to be blessed or light candles and place them in their windows at home.
- Light a candle (or use an LED candle. Can the student explore the cause and effect of the ON/OFF switch?
- If you have an interactive whiteboard dim the lights and play an image of a lit candle to meditative/calming music.
In France and Belgium, it is traditional to eat crepes.
- Explore different toppings: chocolate sauce, cinnamon, cheese, cream, cream cheese, ice-cream, honey or fruit.
In Luxembourg children sing in exchange for coins.
- Explore coins. Make coin rubbings, count them or post into a tin. Alternatively, explore chocolate coins.
3rd Feb
National Wear Red Day
Raising awareness of heart disease.
- Wear an item of red clothing.
- Explore red fabrics: chenille, cotton, felt, flannel, jersey, leather, nylon, silk, suede, tartan, wool
- Explore red shiny items: baubles, buttons, foil/sweet wrappers, foil, glitter, ribbon, tinsel.
- Explore red hues through a piece of artwork: burgundy, cerise, crimson, fuchsia, magenta, maroon, ochre, plum, red, raspberry, rose, ruby, russet, rust, salmon, scarlet.
- Go on a red colour hunt. Place items around the room/outdoor area for the students to find. You can either provide a bag/basket to collect the items in, a list to tick off items when they have been found or create a picture matching board. Here are some ideas: balloons, chalk, crayons, lipstick, plasticine, Play-Doh™, rose/rose petals, sock/mitten.
- Taste red foods: apples, beetroot, cherries (remove stone), cranberries, pink grapefruit, radicchio, radish, raspberries, red cabbage, red grapes, red potatoes, strawberries, tomatoes.
- Red colour sorting activity: Provide a range of sensory items to sort into colours: bowls, buttons, feathers, straws, chalks, crayons, cups, flowers, leaves, Lego (build a tower), Math Link, pegs, pipe cleaners, pom poms and socks.
9th Feb
Toothache Day!
A day to promote good oral hygiene.
Take a virtual trip to The Dentist with this FREE multisensory story!
https://mash.ie/the-dentist-a-rhyming-multisensory-story-sen-3-19.html
Set up a Dentist Role Play Area
Role play is a crucial part of development and provides opportunities to practice imaginative play, communication and language skills building narrative thought acting out scenarios.
1. Create a ‘waiting room’ with magazines, colouring and puzzle sheets.
2. Create a reception area. Provide a diary for writing appointments and a telephone.
3. Assign roles. The receptionist, the dentist, dental nurse, and the patients. Encourage students to swap roles. This sharing of roles and turn taking will develop awareness of others’ thoughts, feelings, and opinions.
4. Provide craft materials for students to make badges to identify their job role.
5. Provide a blue, white, or green shirt, goggles and face masks for the dentist and dental nurse to wear and props such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, mirrors, a small torch, fake ‘toy’ teeth, a bib, goggles, masks.
6. Setting up a dental surgery role play area provides an excellent opportunity to work with money, whether it is calculating change or devising a price list for services. Set up an area to sell products (toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss)
10th Feb Chinese New Year
Activity Idea
The Great Race
In this multisensory version of the story, each animal is represented by a prop.
Below are a few suggestions.
The story can be delivered by presenting the props as each animal is encountered in the story or if working in a group, assign each student an animal with their prop, and work as a group re-telling the story with the students presenting their prop when their animal is encountered in the story.
1. Rat: Wind up/clockwork rat or a length of string.
2. Ox: Bone to represent the horns or wool to represent the hair.
3. Tiger: Stripy material or a backscratcher/wide-toothed comb to represent the tiger’s claws.
4. Rabbit: Cotton wool ball (to represent the tail) or a carrot.
5. Dragon: A red/yellow/orange paper party blower to represent ‘breathing fire’ or red/yellow/orange ribbons.
6. Snake: A rattle, guiro and stick or a rubber snake.
7. Horse: Two plastic cups banged together to recreate the sound of the horse’s hooves
8. Goat: A piece of fake leather or suede to represent goat skin (fake chamois leathers are cheap.)
9. Monkey: A banana
10. Rooster: Feathers
11. Dog: Feather duster to represent the wagging tail, a dog collar, dog toy or rubber bone.
12. Pig: Curly pink pipe cleaner to represent the tail.
Don’t forget the cat who was pushed into the water by the rat. The cat could be represented by a slinky.
You may also wish to use a BIGMack, Talking Tile or similar device to play animal sound effects.
Chinese New Year Sensory Bin
A sensory bin is filled with themed items that provide a calming activity and the opportunity to learn through exploration whilst engaging the senses and meeting sensory needs.
This sensory play will develop fine motor skills as the student manipulates the objects, problem solving skills through experimentation, creativity and imagination through exploration and build language and communication skills.
How to Make A Chinese New Year Themed Sensory Bin
- Create a Base Layer. Scatter dried rice or noodles into the base of a tray, bucket, basket or box.
- Sprinkle Chinese five spice/star anise/ginger or scatter cinnamon sticks onto the base layer.
- Add toy animals to represent the animals of the Chinese Zodiac (if you do not have toy animals them laminate pictures of the animals and stick onto wooden craft sticks.)
- Add chocolate coins, paper streamers and red and gold shredded tissue paper.
- Add Fine Motor Tools: Plastic tweezers, chopsticks, cups, spoons, forks, measuring jugs, colander, whisk, sieve, funnel, pipette, food tongs, wooden utensils, scoops & paintbrushes.
- Add Items to Encourage Scientific Investigation: Torch, camera, magnifying glass, magnets, pen/paper, egg carton/ice cube/cake baking tray for sorting items, and a mirror.
- Supervise Play. Be aware of any potential allergies or choking hazards.
Explore Chinese Art
- Chinese artwork is traditionally drawn on paper or silk. Subjects include landscapes, animals, and insects.
- Show the students examples.
- Use feathers and glitter. Focus on red backgrounds. Use gold stars.
- Paint or print onto different mediums such as rice paper or silk (for a cheap alternative to silk use a shower curtain.)
- Experiment with different tools, dip dried noodles into paint, paint with feathers, design a printed picture dipping star anise into paint. Make a print by rolling cinnamon sticks into paint, wood-like star anise or bumpy skinned fresh lychees.
Create a Chinese Landscape Painting
You will need
- Paper or card
- White wax crayon or candle
- Watered down food colouring
- Paintbrush
Activity
1. Rub the white crayon/candle over the surface of the paper in strokes.
2. Using the watered-down food colouring, paint over the whole page using a brush. Allow to dry
Recommended Resource:
https://mash.ie/chinese-new-year-a-multisensory-exploration-sensory-themed-extension-activities.html
Join our character on a multisensory adventure as s/he visits China at New Year
Table of Contents:
Prepare to Celebrate (Gathering Story Props)
How to Tell a Multisensory Story
Chinese New Year – A Multisensory Exploration
Developing Comprehension & Understanding
Chinese New Year Themed Listening Game
Chinese New Year Themed Sensory Bin
Chinese New Year Themed Sensory Bag
The Great Wall of China
Terracotta Warriors
‘Five Oxen’ Sensory Art
Chinese Art
Chinese Music
The Great Race
The Great Race PMLD Multisensory Version
Chinese New Year Guided Relaxation Adventure
Chinese New Year Lucky/Unlucky Gifts
Chinese Music
Dragon Dance
Spring Clean Your Classroom
Chinese New Year Sensory Ideas & Activities
13th Feb
World Radio Day
Raising awareness of the pleasure and importance of the radio.
- Listen to a range of radio clips: music, sports, news, weather to communicate the diversity of the radio.
- Explore children’s radio stations examples are Fun Kids Digital Radio and Cbeebies Radio
- Explore the cause and effect of a wind-up radio.
- Become radio presenters!
13th Feb
Shrove Tuesday
Smell, touch and taste pancakes.
You can use ready-made shop bought pancakes, make your own pancakes using an instant batter mix or make a batter mix from scratch.
Batter Mix Recipe
- 225g (1 3/4 cups) plain flour
- 500ml (2 cups) milk
- 2 large eggs
Explore ‘Sweet’ and ‘Savoury’ Pancake Toppings.
Can the students make a ‘sweet’ pancake and a ‘savoury’ pancake by selecting the correct ingredients?
Sweet Toppings: bananas, berries, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, cream, honey, ice-cream, jam, maple syrup, strawberry sauce.
Savoury Toppings: aioli, avocado, baba ganoush, cheese, spices cinnamon/nutmeg, garlic dip, guacamole, houmous, marmite, mushrooms, pesto, sour cream, taramasalata, tzatziki.
Be allergy aware!
Can the sensory explorer express a preference between sweet and savoury?
Can the sensory explorer identify the ‘healthier’ choices for the pancake toppings?
Eat Your Way Around the World!
Pancakes are a global treat! Explore the different pancakes and toppings.
Country | Pancake | Topping |
Algeria | Mahjouba | Tomato sauce |
Australia | Pikelets | Bananas and cream |
Austria | Kaiserchmarrn | Cherries and raisins |
Brazil | Tapiocas | Coconut, condensed milk |
Chile | Panqueques | Spinach and chard |
Denmark | Aebleskiver | Sugar and jam for dipping |
East Africa | Itumbua | Cardamom |
France | Crepes | Lemon and sugar |
Greece | Tiganites | Sesame seeds |
Hong Kong | Mango Pancakes | Mango |
Hungary | Palacsinta | Chocolate sauce & raisins |
Italy | Crespelle | Spinach and ricotta |
Japan | Okonomiyaki | Shredded cabbage & spring onion |
Norway | Surmnelkslapper | Strawberry jam |
Sri Lanka | Hoppers | Coconut |
14th Feb
Valentine’s Day Sensory Bag
Sensory bags are a cheap and fun way to engage the senses and develop language skills. Choose a non-see-through bag that is tactile and catches the eye. (If you don’t have a bag then use a pillowcase)
- Place a variety of Valentine’s Day themed items inside the bag: Rose Petals, Chocolate, Edible Flowers, (Costume) Jewellery, ‘Love’ Letter/Card, Rose Scented Candle/Wardrobe Hanger Sachet/Essential Oil/Handwash/Cream/Lip Balm, Perfume, Teddy Bear, Rose Water (or foods containing rose water (Turkish Delight, Rose Cordial, Rose Lemonade, Rose Tea, Rose Shortbread.)
Tip!
When choosing items think of engaging all the senses: Add items that stimulate the vision, tactile items that feel nice to the touch, items to smell and taste and items that make interesting sounds.
- Give the bag a gentle shake to gain the student’s attention.
- Invite the student to place their hand into the bag and select an item.
- Encourage the student to use their sense of smell, touch, hearing and taste to guess what the item is (If the student is unsure then provide plenty of clues.)
Build Functional language skills.
- Ask the student to tell you or show you what you might do with the item and where you might find it.
(If the student is unsure, model what to do with the item and see if they can copy your action.)
- Allow the student time to explore the item and process the information then shake the bag again for them to select another item.
- Keep language simple.
- Focus on phrases such as ‘Choose’ or ‘Take one’ when presenting the bag to the student.
- Focus on the name of the object e.g., ‘Heart‘, ‘Chocolate’ and two-word phrases e.g., ‘Red Rose’.
- Model verbs: ‘Smell’ ‘Eat’.
14th Feb
Vasant Panchami
In the Punjabi calendar, the start of spring is celebrated with a kite festival. People wear yellow clothes and bangles.
- Fly a kite
- Wear an item of yellow clothing or explore different yellow materials.
- Make/taste Indian sweets.
- Explore Indian Dancing
Make your own Bangles!
1. Cut a clear plastic water bottle into rings. Wrap wool or silk thread around the plastic.
2. Thread beads onto string or ribbon.
3. Make pipe cleaner bangles securing the ends together.
15th Feb
Parinirvana Day
Parinirvana Day marks the death of the Buddha who is believed to have entered a state called Parinirvana, the final goal of Buddhism, ‘Nirvana without end’.
Re-Create a Visit to a Buddhist Temple with a Guided Relaxation Adventure
Guided relaxation is generally considered a safe activity as it is the practice of relaxation, stillness and calmness.
By adding props you can create a wonderful sensory experience.
Preparing For Your Guided Relaxation Adventure
1. Find a comfortable place that is free of distractions.
2. Settle the student into a position that is comfortable for them.
3. Provide pillows/beanbags/cushions and blankets.
4. Dim the lights.
5. Tell the student that if at anytime they wish to stop the activity to tell you, raise their hand or open their eyes.
6. There is an option to incorporate props such as mini cymbals, incense sticks, a gong/drum, a money box and coins.
7. Using a calm and gentle voice, slowly read through the guided adventure below pausing between sentences.
‘Close your eyes and take a slow, deep breath.
I want you to imagine a magic carpet has floated into the room.
Climb onto the carpet. It is soft and comfortable.
You feel safe as the carpet gently rises, floats across the room, and leaves the building.
The carpet flies into the sky and gently glides over the rooftops.
You feel excited as the magic carpet sweeps over towns and villages, fields, and farmland.
The sheep and cows look tiny below.
You are now travelling over the sea.
Can you see how blue the water is?
Can you feel the warmth of the sun on your back?
You feel very relaxed and happy riding on your carpet.
In the distance you see land approaching.
The carpet glides along long winding rivers, and across vast grasslands then sweeps up to the highest part of the hillside, where you see a temple.
Your magic carpet lands outside a gate.
You see a kind man with a shaven head. He is wearing an orange robe.
The man greets you by placing his hands in front of his body, palms together and bows his head slightly.
Would you like to greet him back?
He asks you to take off your shoes. He will keep them safe.
You follow him through the gate and onto a path lined with colourful flowers and trees bearing fruits. Their leaves dapple in the sunshine.
The path is lined with blossom, the petals are soft on your feet.
You enter the temple.
It smells of perfumed incense (option to light an incense stick or to lightly spritz perfume)
Gold statues line the room.
It is so quiet in the room you can hear yourself breathe.
At the front of the room is a Buddha statue sat on top of wooden platform with two long candles.
You feel very relaxed as you watch the orange flames flicker.
Take a few minutes to relax.
It is almost time to leave.
You turn to leave and next to the door you see a small wooden box.
Would for you to post some coins through the slot in the box?
Listen to the rattle they make as they hit the bottom of the box? (Option to create the atmosphere by dropping coins into a money tin)
There is a gong hanging from the ceiling.
You can gently ring it if you like (option to hit the gong to re-create the sound)
As you leave the gate you take one last bow.
Your magic carpet has returned to take you home.
Climb onto the carpet and make yourself comfortable.
The carpet rises slowly into sky and retraces its journey down the hillside and across the land.
You cross the sea feeling very calm and relaxed as the magic carpet glides over fields and farms, villages, and towns.
You recognise the rooftops of the shops, school, and houses where you live.
Picture the room that we are in now.
The magic carpet gently lands in this room, and you climb off and lie on the floor.
Your journey is over for today but remember, you can take a journey on your magic carpet whenever you like.
When you are ready wiggle your fingers and your toes then gently open your eyes.’
18th Feb
Former Planet, Pluto was discovered By Clyde Tombaugh in 1930
Explore Pluto!
”The last stop is Pluto, it has five moons
They orbit the planet like water balloons”
Excerpt from https://mash.ie/journey-into-space-a-rhyming-multisensory-story-exploration-of-the-solar-system-themed-sensory-extension-activities.html
You will need:
- 5 x Balloons
- Ice Cubes
- Washing up Bowl
- Water
- Ball Pit Play Balls/Ping Pong Balls
Activity:
Fill the water balloons with different quantities of water and secure with a knot.
- Can the student(s) handle the water balloons without them bursting?
Alternative Activity:
- Place ice cubes into the washing up bowl then float ball pit play balls/ ping pong balls
- Explore items that sink and float: Aluminium Foil, Cork, Feather, Foam, Leaf, Lego, Confetti, Glitter, Pulses, Wood.
Extend Learning:
- Explore liquids that sink and float and those that disperse: Baby Oil, Food Colouring, Honey, Olive/Vegetable Oil, Washing up Liquid, Corn Syrup
This space themed activity also links with the birthday of Galileo Galilei on Feb 15th
Watch the video!
Originally recorded for The Sensory Festival, this video is packed with sensory ideas and activities.
(Note: I recorded this the day after I had been in hospital so was feeling a little under the weather but there are some fun ideas in there!)
10th Feb
Losar
Celebrate Tibetan New Year.
Traditionally, people would pass a fire torch through the crowds.
- Can the students pass a torch/LED battery candle around their peers?
This three-day festival sees the exchange of gifts.
- Play Tibetan traditional music and promote turn-taking with a game of ‘pass the parcel’
Dough balls are eaten. Ingredients such as coal, wool, chillies and rice are placed inside.
The ingredient contained within your doughball is said to reflect your character!
Chilli Pepper – Chatty talkative person
Rice – A Good person
Wool – Kind person
Make Playdoh or Plasticine ‘Dough’ Balls
You will need:
- Playdoh/Plasticine (blue, yellow and red represent the colours of the Tibetan flag)
- Dried Rice
- Wool
- Chilli Pepper (plastic ‘toy’ chilli or substitute for cubes of red bell pepper or use peppercorns)
How to make Playdoh/Plasticine ‘Dough’ Balls
- Promote fine motor skills as the students roll their Playdoh/plasticine into balls.
- Make a hole in the centre of the ball using a finger/thumb or a wooden dowel rod.
- Place grains of dried rice, a piece of wool or chunk of pepper (or peppercorns) into the hole.
- Recover the hole with Playdoh/Plasticine to hide the item placed inside.
- Place the balls together, then as a group, take turns in selecting a ball and peeling it open to reveal the contents.
- Can the students remember the characteristic said to be reflected according the to item inside? (Chilli Pepper – Chatty talkative person, Rice – A good person, Wool – kind person.)
Extend Learning
- Can the students think of other characteristics and corresponding items to place inside the balls?
Here are some examples:
- Feather – Soft hearted person
- Daisy or dandelion – Flower lover
- Toy animal – Animal lover
- Spinach – Strong person
- Leaf – Nature lover
Other ways to celebrate Losar
People engage in activities that symbolise purification and welcoming in the new.
Buildings are whitewashed and thoroughly cleaned, and people wear new clothes.
Engage in outdoor learning.
- Provide paintbrushes and rollers for students to ‘paint’ the walls, fences, and railings. Add washing up liquid to create white soap suds.
Buddhist monks adorn the monasteries with the finest decorations and conduct religious ceremonies.
Make a Tibetan Prayer Flag
You will need:
- Rectangles of material (explore different colours, fabrics and textures)
- Length of string
- Glue
Method
- Lay a rectangular piece of material onto a flat surface.
- Place the length of string on top of the rectangular material 1/4 of the way from the top edge of the material.
- Tuck the top of the material over the string then glue to secure.
- Repeat until you have a length of prayer flag.
27th Feb
International Polar Bear Day
Lets’ Explore….Polar Bears!
Learning about animals and habitats teaches about Conservation and Respecting Wildlife
Promote Communication Skills (Listening & Speaking)
- Play an audio clip of a polar bear ‘chuffing’, ‘growling’, ‘grunting’, ‘hissing’ and ‘roaring.
- Can the student communicate a request to listen to the sound again? (This could be through gaze, verbally or through sign)
- If using a switch, BIGMack or Talking Tile, can the student activate the device independently?
- Can the student imitate the sound using their voice?
- Record their vocalisation and play it back.
Promote Physical Development, Coordination, Balance, Control & Movement & Imaginative Play
- Watch footage of a polar bear.
- Polar bear’s forepaws are directed inwards. They can gait and gallop swaying their hips but cannot trot.
- Can the sensory explorer move their body like a polar bear?
Re-Create a Polar Bear Habitat.
- Line a Tuff Tray with ice. Add fake snow (see recipes below) Add toy polar bears, and a bowl of water.
- Female polar bears make a den in snow. Using fine motor tools (cups and scoops) can the student make a polar bear den in the snow?
Fake Snow Recipes
1. Add shaving cream to baking soda.
2. Sprinkle a sachet of gelatine into warm water and stir until dissolved. Add ice cubes.
3. Mix cornflour with hair conditioner until you reach the required consistency.
4. Mix cornflour with bicarbonate of soda (equal quantities e.g., one cup), add water a tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
5. Mouldable snow: Mix three cups of shaving cream with 1/2 cup of glue and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Stir in 1/2 cup of foam micro beads. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and water. Knead.
6. Add 3 cups of baking soda with 1 cup of hair conditioner.
FREE ‘Holi Themed Multisensory Workshop’
Join me for a multisensory exploration of the festival of Holi.
Includes a walk-through of my multisensory story ‘Holi’ plus themed, sensory activity ideas.
To save your place email: rhymingmultisensorystories@outlook.com
