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February Teaching Calendar

Updated: Jan 31


Teaching ideas and inspiration to celebrate the month of February including FREE World Book Day Interactive Storytelling Session, Candlemas, St Brigid's Day, National Wear Red Day, Parinirvana Day, Valentine's Day, Vasant Panchami, Tu Bishvat...and more!


Dates at a Glance

Feb 1 - St Brigid's Day

Feb 2 - Vasant Panchami

Feb 2 - Candlemas

Feb 7 - National Wear Red Day

Feb 28 - Losar

Feb 12 - Tu Bishvat

Feb 14 - Valentine's Day

15th Feb - Parinirvana Day

18th Feb - Discovery of Pluto

27th Feb - International Polar Bear Day


February Through the Senses

What to Look for in Nature

A month of cold weather and short days. Wrap up, head outdoors and observe the natural world. Enjoy frost covered landscapes or snow.


Birds: Look for birds gathering items for their nests, listen out for their birdsong: Blackbirds, Thrush. Look for flying swans and geese.

Small Mammals: Look for tracks and signs left by foxes, badgers, squirrels and deer.

Flora and Fauna: Snowdrops, daffodils, crocuses, primroses, Chickweed, hairy bittercress, dandelion leaves, sow thistle, yellow rocket.

The Vegetable Garden: Purple sprouting broccoli, carrots, sprouts, turnips, beetroot, chard, cabbage, cauliflower, swede, leeks.


Feb 1 St Brigid's Day



Feb 2 Candlemas



Feb 2 Vasant Panchami



Make 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.


Feb 7 National Wear Red Day

Raising awareness of heart disease.



Feb 9 Toothache Day

A day to promote good oral hygiene.

Take a virtual trip to The Dentist with this FREE multisensory story!





Set up a Dental Role Play Area


Feb 10 Losar

Celebrate Tibetan New Year.





Feb 12 Tu Bishvat


Feb 13 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!


Feb 14 Valentine's Day

Sensory Bag

Sensory bags are a cheap and fun way to engage the senses and develop language skills.



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'.


Feb 15 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.'


Feb 18 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''


You will need:

  • 5 x Balloons

  • Ice Cubes

  • Washing up Bowl

  • Water

  • Ball Pit Play Balls/Ping Pong Balls

Activity:

'Journey into Space' £3.98
'Journey into Space' £3.98

  • 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!)



Feb 27 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.


Just Released

Join your favourite fictional book characters and explore the world of non-fiction with this fully resourced, step-by-step sensory story perfect for celebrating World Book Day.


Includes 70 Plus World Book Day activity idea for sensory learners of all ages and ideas for students extending their learning.


World Book Day Sensory Story
World Book Day Sensory Story

Join me for a FREE live interactive storytelling session on World Book Day 6th March 2025 at 11.15am. Everyone welcome!




Subscribe to the Members Library to gain unlimited access to all resources to view online, download and/or print out, story walk-throughs and videos.


£95 per year (school/setting site licence - multiple users)

email rhymingmultisensorystories@outlook.com for more information or visit https://www.rhymingmultisensorystories.com/bespoketraining and fill out the online query form.


Other Titles in this Series

Fully resourced, step-by-step multisensory stories linking individuals to literature, culture, history & topic through the senses.


Each resource includes themed, sensory activities aimed at promoting communication skills, independence and areas of learning.


FULL LIST OF TITLES

The Seasons Collection

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

The Weather (Free resource)


Christmas

Dear Santa (Free resource)

Dear Santa Adapting into a Play (Free resource)


Culture & Celebrations Collection

A Train Ride Through India

Burns Night

Chinese New Year

Halloween

Holi

St Patricks Day


History

The King's Coronation

The Queen's Jubilee (Free resource)

The Romans


Life Skills

Jobs and Work Experience


Maths

Shapes - A Multisensory Exploration (includes 130 shape themed, sensory activities)


Reference

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

Sensory Resources for Sensory Learners (800+ ideas)

January 2024 Teachers Almanac


Self-Care

The Dentist (Free resource)

Washing Hands (Free resource)


Topic/Theme

Journey into Space

Minibeasts

Superheroes

The Beach

The Farm

The Rainforest


Traditional Tales Collection

The Gingerbread Man

Goldilocks

Jack & the Beanstalk

Little Red Riding Hood

The Three Little Pigs


Visit the shop £3.98





Download the Latest Catalogue



Training

Held via Zoom

or

Watch online at your leisure


Pricelist

1-1 Workshop

£45

Digital certificate of completion

Course notes (pdf)


Private Group Workshop

£99

Digital certificate of completion

Course notes (pdf)


Whole school/setting INSET

£199

Includes a free 6-month subscription to the Members Library

Digital certificate of completion

Course notes (pdf)



Get in Touch!

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

Facebook: Victoria Navin RMSS 

Twitter: @RhymingStories 

Reddit: sensorystories 

Pinterest: Rhyming Multisensory Stories


Thank you for your support

See you in March!


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

Contact me via email

or send me a message via social media:)



The Health & Safety Bit!

Please Read Before Engaging in any of the Activities


​Health & Safety Advice & Disclaimer

  • The author has used their best efforts in preparing the information on this website and makes no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness to the contents.

  • The information is for pleasure purposes only.

  • If you wish to apply any ideas and activities contained in this blog, on the website or in any of the multisensory stories or resources, you are wholly responsible and take full responsibility for your actions.

  • ​The activities are designed to be led and supervised by a responsible adult at all times.

​​A Note on Allergies/Intolerances

  • ​If you have any doubts regarding any activity or prop used, then seek advice before starting.​

  • ​Be aware of potential choking hazards.

  • Check the ingredients in any items you may be using for any potential food or skin allergies or respiratory reactions. If you see any signs of redness, swelling or other symptoms of a suspected reaction seek immediate medical advice.

  • The interactions should be led by the sensory explorer who should be allowed to participate without expectation.

  • ​Never force stimuli and stop the activity if the story explorer shows signs that they are not enjoying the session.
























 
 
 
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