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December Teaching Ideas Calendar

Updated: Dec 30, 2025


How will you celebrate your sensory Christmas this year? Will you be helping Santa in the new sensory story 'Rudolph's Carrots?' or joining Johnny as he shares his sensory letter to Santa? 'Dear Santa' is FREE to download, you can watch the story walkthrough below or adapt the story into a Christmas play with full facilitation guidance. Also in the calendar - bring your Christmas cards to life with a sensory activity. Watch the video! Plus Winter - A Sensory Story Told Through the Eight Senses.




It was cold, snow piled deep


Santa lay in an icy heap


"Rudolph’s hungry - he can’t take flight


He needs carrots to the last night!"



Join our characters on Christmas Eve as Santa’s sleigh crash lands in their snowy back garden. The problem? Rudolph has run out of carrots! What can be done to help, and will Santa be able to deliver everyone’s presents on time?



This resource has been created to support inclusive, multisensory engagement, inviting sensory learners to explore a festive sensory story through the eight senses, the five primary senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell, and the three body-based/internal senses: vestibular, proprioception, and interoception by weaving together tactile props, sounds, scents, tastes and movement.



Rooted in a commitment to accessibility, sensory engagement and meaningful communication, each couplet offers a sensory prompt guiding the story participant through a journey where they can explore and connect in a space where every sense is welcome.



This pack includes:


- A fully resourced step-by-step sensory story with facilitation guidance


- Learning objectives to help you plan, differentiate and assess


- Step-by-step sensory wall display activity inviting learners to re-experience the story through a wall display.


- Guest feature 'Repeated Refrains' by Tom McDonald, Director of AAC and Me



Join our character as they explore their wish list to Santa with this festive sensory story that can be enjoyed by sensory learners of all ages.


This comprehensive teaching pack which includes ‘Dear Santa’, a fully resourced, step by step multisensory story, and themed, sensory ideas and activities, is aimed at supporting the five areas of the engagement model, creativity, independence, building communication skills, and supporting other areas of learning linking to curriculum subjects and topics.

Download Your FREE Copy below




The activities in the stories are designed to promote:

  • Initiation and sensory exploration.

  • Communication skills: anticipation, eye contact, listening, shared attention, and language development.

  • Self-confidence and well-being: trying out new ideas, and skills, persistence.

  • Practicing self-care, independence and enjoying achievement.

  • Self-awareness: asking for ‘help’, ‘again’ and ‘more’.

  • Opportunities to explore cause & effect and build anticipation skills.

  • Physical Development.

  • Engagement in scientific experimentation and mathematical concepts.

  • Development of social & emotional skills: turn-taking & sharing, teamwork.

  • The sensory stimuli (story props) are a tool for the story explorer to explore and express their likes, dislikes, and sensory preferences and to have the opportunity to make choices.


Watch the video of the 'Dear Santa' workshop for a story walk-through.



Dear Santa...

I am writing my letter early this year

As you get lots of


Dedicated to my Dear Dad who wrote the original poem this is based on


I woke up this morning and to my delight 

A carpet of snow had fell in the night 

I put on my gloves, scarf, and a hat 

And followed the tracks of a bird and a cat' 


Step into a season of sparkle and sensory joy with this fully resourced and facilitated winter sensory story with learning objectives to help you plan, differentiate and assess. 


This resource has been created to support inclusive, multisensory engagement, inviting sensory learners to explore the season of winter through the eight senses, the five primary senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell and three body-based/internal senses: vestibular, proprioception, and interoception, by weaving together tactile props, sounds, scents, tastes and movement. 


Rooted in a commitment to accessibility, sensory engagement and meaningful communication, each couplet offers a sensory prompt guiding the story participant through a journey where they can explore and connect in a space where every sense is welcome. 


Facilitators are invited to adapt the resource to reflect their learners’ needs and preferences as a flexible guide to celebrate each learner’s presence, agency, and voice enabling them to experience winter through a multisensory lens. 


Thank you to Matt at Tactile Tiles who collaborated with Rhyming Multisensory Stories creating animal track Tactile Tiles for the resource 



This pack includes: 


  • A fully resourced sensory story with facilitation guidance 

  • Learning objectives to help you plan, differentiate and assess 

  • Sensory rich winter themed activities to keep your learners busy all season including a winter sensory bin, winter clothes exploration, expanding and condensing water bottle experiment, feed the birds activity, outdoor winter sensory journey plus grab and go ideas! 


Adapting Christmas Cards into Sensory Stories ​to Promote Literacy Skills

When Christmas cards arrive in the classroom, explore them with your students through sight, touch, sound, and smell by pairing the cards with props turning each card into a multi‑sensory experience.







Watch the video to find out more!




Keep Your Christmas Cards for Upcycling!

Receiving cards from family and friends is one of the season’s simple joys. Before they head to the recycling bin, why not transform them into low‑cost, creative and practical activities. Watch this space for more ideas!



Other news

Just Released!

Ramadan – A Sensory Story invites Neurodiverse, PMLD, Sensory and SEND learners to engage in a rich, multisensory journey through Ramadan. Each activity promotes connection and personal agency, inviting learners to explore at their own pace while fostering communication and confidence.


With adaptable steps and a focus on sensory experiences, this resource supports inclusive, engagement, inviting sensory learners to explore Ramadan through the eight senses: the five primary senses -sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell, and three body-based/internal senses - vestibular, proprioception, and interoception. It weaves together tactile props, sounds, scents, tastes, and movement with poetic language and gentle facilitator guidance.


From symbolically sighting the crescent moon and stars, touching prayer beads, exploring dates and spices to enjoying sensory-rich activities including a sensory umbrella, silhouette play and sensory artwork, this Ramadan sensory story is rich with hands-on invitations.

Rooted in a commitment to accessibility, engagement, meaningful communication, and sensory inclusion, each couplet offers a sensory prompt guiding the story participant through a journey where every sense is welcome.


This teaching pack includes:

• Ramadan sensory story poem

• Prop/resources checklist with facilitation guidance

• Sensory-rich activities focusing on engaging the eight senses:


Sight-Based Sensory Invitations for Ramadan and how they support visual engagement, contrast, and symbolic recognition

Sound-Based Sensory Invitations for Ramadan and how they support auditory engagement, rhythm, and emotional resonance

Tactile Sensory-Rich Activities linked to Ramadan and how they support tactile exploration and fine motor engagement

Smell-Based Sensory Invitations for Ramadan and how they support olfactory engagement and cultural resonance

Taste-Based Sensory Invitations for Ramadan and how they support taste exploration and cultural resonance

Proprioceptive Sensory Invitations for Ramadan and how they support body awareness, pressure, and grounded engagement

Vestibular Sensory Invitations for Ramadan and how they support movement, balance, and spatial awareness

Interoception Sensory Invitations for Ramadan and how they support internal awareness, emotional regulation, and gentle grounding

Annual Subscribers Download for FREE

Not a subscriber? Gain unlimited access to 50 sensory stories plus bonus content. £95 per year (site licence) Visit https://www.rhymingmultisensorystories.com/.../annualsubs... to find out more, drop me an email rhymingmultisensorystories@outlook.com or send me a via the Chat feature on the website www.rhymingmultisensorystories.com or message me via social media:)


Other News - Book Release!

Sensory Spaces: An A–Z of Immersive and Creative Environments to Support Sensory Integration

As many of you will know, I have been working hard this year writing and I am delighted to tell you that my book Sensory Spaces: An A–Z of Immersive and Creative Environments to Support Sensory Integration has now been published!


A huge thank you to everyone who has been involved in this project and to the fabulous team at Routledge!


Find out more!


Imagine stepping into a sensory space where you can feel the sand between your toes, smell the sea, listen to the sound of seagulls calling; touch feathers, shells and driftwood…


Sensory spaces invite learners to be curious and try new ideas and skills, inspiring imaginative play, creativity and storytelling. This comprehensive A-Z shows readers how to create easily customisable spaces for learning, sensory engagement and relaxation, using a host of everyday items.


It is packed full of:

• tools and strategies to provide positive experiences and the best outcomes for an inclusive education;

• ideas for connecting learners to different areas of the curriculum;

• sensory-rich activities to support the mental health and wellbeing of people with complex and additional needs; and

• case studies and examples from guest contributors to showcase a wide range of sensory spaces in practice.

With a rich selection of colour photographs, this essential guide will inspire you to create spaces for learners to take ownership of their sensory explorations in creative, immersive and stimulating environments. It is a valuable resource for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and mainstream teachers, SEND coordinators, teaching assistants, early years practitioners, play therapists, parents and carers, and anyone with an interest in engaging learners through the senses.


Critics Reviews


"An essential companion for all educators, this easy-to-use A-Z has inspiring ideas popping from every page. Sensory Spaces is an invaluable guide bursting with dynamic, innovative solutions. Notebook and pen ready, delve in, be excited, be enthused; create amazing sensory spaces for all your learners from the wonderful ideas. A must-have for both first-time educators entering the world of sensory learners and experienced educators seeking new inspiring ideas. The depth and breadth of this guide are phenomenal!"

Gwyn McCormack, director, Positive Eye Ltd


"This thoughtfully designed and accessible book would have been invaluable when I began working with children and young adults. Victoria offers a wealth of knowledge alongside innovative, sensory-rich provocations and experiences for the early years, SEND, young people and adults. A truly multi-generational resource, it empowers educators, carers and parents to foster meaningful learning through imagination, creativity and storytelling. This book is an inspiring and practical guide for anyone committed to enriching developmental experiences across all ages."

Gina Bale, creator, Littlemagictrain


"Victoria stands with teachers, teaching assistants, care workers, family members and anyone who wishes to share fun and engaging times with and support someone with complex disabilities and neurodivergent conditions. This joyful book offers a helping hand, a pick-me-up, a message to say that you are not alone. Thumbing through the pages, you will find ideas from a whole team of contributors ready to take tired hands and say, ‘Let’s have some fun; let’s go on a sensory adventure.’ I invite you to adventure within these pages and within the spaces you may create inspired by them."

Dr Joanna Grace, sensory engagement and inclusion specialist


"This is a practical and empowering guide filled with easy-to-adapt ideas for creating inclusive sensory environments on any budget. Victoria brings together deep knowledge, creativity and compassion to support learners of all ages and needs. A brilliant go-to resource for educators, families and anyone looking to make a sensory difference."

Dr Sarah Moseley, author, consultant and trainer in SEND and inclusive practice


 

Full List of Titles 

Seasons 

Spring 

Summer 

Autumn 

Winter 

A Winter Walk 

January Through the Senses 

The Weather 

 

Culture & Celebrations 

A Train Ride Through India 

Book Day 

Bonfire Night 

Burns Night 

Chinese New Year 

Diwali 

Halloween 

Harvest Festival 

Holi 

Harvest Festival 

Ramadan

The Witch  

 

Life Skills, Self Care, Routines and Transitions 

Back to School 

Jobs and Work Experience  

People Who Help Us – The Special School Superheroes 

The Dentist 

Washing Hands 

 

RE 

Sensory Saints  

St Patrick’s Day 

 

Maths 

Shapes – A Multisensory Exploration 

 

Topics and Themes 

Airports and Airplanes 

Elephants 

Journey into Space 

Minibeasts 

The Beach 

The Farm 

The Rainforest 

 

History 

Benjamin Franklin 

The King’s Coronation 

The Queens Jubilee 

The Great Fire of London 

The Romans 

VE Day 

 

Reference 

Listen – An A-Z of Sensory Inspiration to Stimulate the Auditory System 

Sensory Resources for Sensory Learners (800+ Ideas) 

 

Christmas 

Dear Santa (Includes How to Adapt into a Play) 

Rudolph’s Carrots 

 

Traditional Tales 

Goldilocks and the Three Bears 

Jack and the Beanstalk 

Little Red Riding Hood 

The Gingerbread Man 

The Three Little Pigs 

 



Training and Workshops

1-1

Groups

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Get in Touch!

Your questions, queries, comments & feedback are always welcome!

Facebook: Victoria Navin RMSS 

Twitter: @RhymingStories 

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Health & Safety Advice & Disclaimer

Please Read Before Engaging in Any Activities

The author has taken care in preparing the information provided on this website. However, no representation or warranty is made regarding the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the content.


All information is intended for pleasure and educational purposes only.

If you choose to apply any ideas or activities described in this blog, on the website, or within any multisensory stories or resources, you do so entirely at your own discretion and assume full responsibility for your actions.


Supervision

  • All activities must be led and supervised by a responsible adult at all times.

  • The sensory explorer should be invited to participate freely, without expectation.

  • Never force engagement. Stop immediately if the person shows signs of discomfort or lack of enjoyment.


Allergies & Intolerances

  • If you have any doubts about an activity or prop, seek professional advice before starting.

  • Always check ingredients and materials for potential food, skin, or respiratory allergies.

  • Watch carefully for any signs of reaction (e.g., redness, swelling, breathing difficulties). If symptoms occur, seek immediate medical advice.


Safety Considerations

  • Be aware of potential choking hazards with small items or props.

  • Ensure all materials are safe, age-appropriate, and suitable for the individual’s needs.

  • Activities should be adapted thoughtfully to respect the sensory explorer’s comfort, dignity, and wellbeing.






 
 
 

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