New Initatives for Reading Groups with Special Needs

World Reading Route



This project ran for eight weeks and involved visiting eight different countries, reading stories associated with that country, finding a few facts about the land and learning to say 'Hello' and 'Goodbye' in each language. To set the scene we handed out travel itineraries, in advance, and selected stories about different methods of transport.

To begin with we took photographs of each group member, with their, or their carers permission. We then made up passports. The groups seemed delighted to have their own passport, with their photograph in it, it really made them feel more involved in the session.

After each session the visa part of the passport was stamped to show that the group had listened to stories, and found out a little about that country. The countries we visited were:- France, Greece, Egypt, India, China, Japan, Australia and USA.

We used many of our existing resources such as fiction and non-fiction books as well as picture books, tactile materials and multi-sensory artefacts.



New Directions

To increase the cognitive skills of the groups we decided to also introduce food that you might taste in each country. This was an opportunity to introduce a new dimension to the storytelling process and to help the group members' recall of the sessions.


Tony Buzan writes that
"Your brain is more likely to notice and recall something that has strong appeal. So link things to:-
- Your senses - taste, smell, touch, sound, or sight (Tony Buzan 1)

We also had corresponding music from that country playing in the background, while we read the stories, although some groups found this distracting, others thought it set the mood of the stories and brought them to life.

The food aspect of each session made a definite contribution to the reading experience. Group members tasted many different foods from exotic locations that they would not have normally encountered. Individuals all had strong opinions on what food they liked the taste of, and which they did not, some liked the taste so much that they asked the carers to buy it for them, in the future.
The combination of tactile artefacts, stories, sounds and tastes combined to enhance the storytelling process.
"The more you stimulate and use your Imagination, the more you will enhance your ability to learn. This is because your Imagination has no limits; it is boundless and stimulates your senses and your brain." (Tony Buzan, 1).

Evaluation

Feedback gathered from the carers and group members would indicate that they found the 'Reading Route' initiative an enjoyable and memorable project, and have even suggested ideas and themes for future reading initiatives.


"Service users and [support workers] thoroughly enjoyed going "round the world"!

"Stories, information and food from each place was great."

"Service users were relaxed and enjoyed participating in the stories."

"Many of the service users were talking and/or communicating with signs about how good everything was. Everything was great for taste, visual, and feeling sensation."

"The passports were great and the service users were really excited about getting them stamped every week."

"The sessions have helped our service users to listen"

"Stories and information very well suited to service users developmental milestones"

"The 'passport' theme was interesting and informative. Clients very keen to attend the sessions"

"Particular service users have become more relaxed and attentive as the weeks have went on"

"A lot of effort was put in each week and we all had a very enjoyable and informative time."

This initiative has been very successful in delivering storytelling sessions to vulnerable adults in an informative and entertaining way. Making the experience interesting, and engaging fully with the members of the groups.

1. Tony Buzan, Available Online http://www.buzan.com.au/learning/study_skills.html