Sensory Content for Charlie The Crow

Inclusion and accessibility is important. We’ve added this multi-sensory section for children with severe/profound and/or multiple learning disabilities. Not everyone can see, or hear, or experience books in the traditional manner. So, we’ve included these extra sensory elements for added engagement with Charlie and his friends.

You or your child might not have a disability, but it’s still fun to expand the story out of the pages, using all your senses!

When engaging with these extra sensory activities – please always supervise your child.

Every page comes with the following content:

  • Audio: Listen to audio, or watch a video of each bird call.
  • AAC Symbols: use the symbols to extend your child’s AAC (Augmentative and alternative communication) vocabulary. If you don’t use an AAC device, you can print the symbol and show it to your child as they are building their vocabulary. These are available free from opensymbols.org
  • Makaton Signs: use your speech with signs/gestures to help your child communicate.
  • Visual isolation:  There is a cut out available in the back of the book of each bird, which can be used for easy visual isolation for those with cortical vision impairments (CVI). Carefully cut out and place on a plain, contrasting background (we like to use plain fabrics, like a sheet, or a plain tea towel).
  • Sensory exploration: These are easily sourced items that can be touched, or smelt or heard, expanding the experience of the story, and introducing sensory stimuli in a safe way.
 

Crow

Click icon to play (Honk)

Click icon to play (Caw Caw)

Makaton Signs for:
Bird
Laugh
Different

AAC symbols from www.opensymbols.org

Touch/Sensory ideas for ‘crow’

Toy or puppet
amazon.co.uk

DIY Puppet

 

Penguin

Click icon to play (Rararara)

Makaton Sign for:
Cold

AAC symbols from www.opensymbols.org

Touch/Sensory ideas for ‘cold’

Play with Ice

Play with a cold water bottle

 

Parrot

Click icon to play (Chirp chirp chirp)

Touch/Sensory ideas for ‘scratchy nest’

Rough Velcro
amazon.co.uk

Decorative mini nest
amazon.co.uk

Scourer
amazon.co.uk

 

Flamingo

Click icon to play (Haw haw haw)

Makaton Sign for:
Wet

AAC symbols from www.opensymbols.org

Touch/Sensory ideas for ‘wet’

Splash in a bowl of water

Water in a bag (with added food colouring, if you’re feeling fancy!)

 

Finch

Click icon to play (Cheep cheep)

Click to watch:
youtu.be/tdX7EYlTqQY?t=15

Makaton Sign for:
Small
Flower

AAC symbols from www.opensymbols.org

Touch/Sensory ideas for ‘flowers’

Smell flowers

Smell floral perfume

 

Hawk

Click icon to play (Sqaaaaw)

Click to watch:
youtu.be/lkw-_FOG8IE?t=118

Makaton Sign for:
Wind

AAC symbols from www.opensymbols.org

Touch/Sensory ideas for ‘wind’

Wave a fan, or piece of card to create wind

Electric fan

 

Swift

Click icon to play (Eeeeee)

Click to watch:
youtu.be/gHgEAIK8P18

Note: swifts are very small and very fast. It’s easier to see them in swarms, like this one.

Makaton Sign for:
Church
Bell
Hear

AAC symbols from www.opensymbols.org

Touch/Sensory ideas for ‘bells’

Play with bells

Gently tap a glass with a fork

 

Burrowing Owl

Click icon to play (Hiss)

Click to watch:
youtu.be/NCj57G2wo70

Makaton Sign for:
Owl
Under

AAC symbols from www.opensymbols.org

Touch/Sensory ideas for ‘underground’

Feel/smell soil

Make a tunnel with towel or sheet

 

Silkie Chicken

Click icon to play (Cluck cluck)

Makaton Sign for:
Chicken
Farm
Soft

AAC symbols from www.opensymbols.org

Touch/Sensory ideas for ‘soft’

Play with feathers

Feel soft/fluffy material (like a blanket, or a jumper)

 

Road Runner

Click icon to play (Bark Bark Bark)

Click to watch:
youtu.be/9yXqaL92wMg

Makaton Sign for:
Hot
Fast

AAC symbols from www.opensymbols.org

Touch/Sensory ideas for ‘hot’

Feel a hot water bottle

Warm rice bag

 

Quail

Click icon to play (Chic-a-go!)

Makaton Sign for:
Garden
Herbs

AAC symbols from www.opensymbols.org

Touch/Sensory ideas for ‘herbs’

Smell dried herbs (like basil, or oregano)

Smell (minty!) toothpaste

 

Woodpecker

Click icon to play (Rat-a-tat-tat)

Click to watch:
youtu.be/b6XOyUey4nQ

Makaton Sign for:
Tree

AAC symbols from www.opensymbols.org

Touch/Sensory ideas for ‘tap’

Wooden percussion instruments

Tap a wooden spoon against a wooden chopping board

 

Ruru

Click icon to play (Morepork)

Click to watch:
youtu.be/ZyLxi3o4tFQ

Makaton Sign for:
Under

AAC symbols from www.opensymbols.org

Touch/Sensory ideas for ‘fern fronds’

Feel some ferns/leaves

Wave paper cut into the shape of ferns

When engaging with these extra sensory activities – please always supervise your child.

Awkwardly, it is at this point we have to show a Limitation of Liability statement: Under no circumstances shall Books for Wednesdays or its affiliates, partners, suppliers or licensors be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special or exemplary damages arising out of or in connection with your access or use of this content and any third party content and services.

Please, please use common sense and keep your kiddos safe under all circumstances!