February Teaching Calendar
- Rhyming Multisensory Stories
- Jan 28
- 10 min read
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:
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.
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
Buy Direct £3.50 (email rhymingmultisensorystories@outlook.com)
Visit the shop £3.98
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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)
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Thank you for your support
See you in March!
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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.
Interesting blog