Animals
BIRDS
Woodland Birds Story Massage
Created by Gill from PAMIS, a certified Story Massage Programme Practitioner
The Story Massage Programme combines the creativity of storytelling and song with the benefits of positive, nurturing touch. It is fun and fully inclusive for all ages and abilities. To learn more about the benefits and application of the programme, plus how to access the online training course, book and resources, please visit www.storymassage.co.uk
Watch the video and follow along!
DAUBENTON'S BAT
A 'no-objects required' sensory story told through human and nature-made sounds, gentle touch and guided movement.
Begin in a quiet spot. Invite the person to settle and notice the sounds and movement around them.
Say : "Daubenton’s Bat is commonly found in parkland, or in wooded ground."
Do : Wrap arms around yourself, then slowly open and flap arms gently like wings. If appropriate, guide the person's arms to flap with you.
Say : "You might see one as it hovers"
Do : With hands held out like wing, do small quick flutters instead of big flaps. Support the person to do the same, if appropriate. If not, move your hands close to their face so they can feel the light breeze from your 'hovering' action.
Say : "Over lakes and slow moving rivers."
Do : While continuing to flutter hands, make a gentle, continuous 'shhhh' sound
Say : "It flies low over water when its time to eat, catching insects with its very large feet."
Do : Flap hands faster and faster by face, speeding up the 'shhhh' sound then pause for a moment. Out loud, you could count "3, 2, 1..." to build anticipation, then clap to catch the insect. Alternatively, if preferred, you could slowly stroke along the person's leg to their feet, continuing the 'shhhh' sound then tap on the sole of their foot.
Say : "Their echoing calls sound like a series of clicks. Though humans can’t hear them – they’re too high pitched."
Do : Make soft clicking sounds with your tongue or fingers. Pause then gently tap the person's hand in the sae pattern to represent the echo coming back.
Say : "When they’re not out hunting midges, they hide in trees or under bridges."
Do : Gently guide the person's arms to fold across their chest like wings closing and hold for a moment as a supported self-hug.
Say : "In winter, these bats hibernate underground"
Do : Speak in a slightly hushed tone, continuing the self-hug as above.
Say : "But you’ll see them in summer when the sun goes down."
Do : Speak in a brighter, more upbeat tone while gently stretching out arms and wiggling fingers.
Say : "They return to the same place every year"
Do : Encourage the person to move their hands away from their body, offering gentle hand under hand support if welcomed, then back in to their body, resting hands on heart or knees and tapping twice gently in the same place.
Say : "And we’re always happy to see them here."
Do : Smile widely and clap happily a few times.
Say : "They flit through trees and glide through the sky"
Do : Alternate between small quick hand movements, or slow sweeping movements through the air, encouraging the person to track the movements or offer support as needed for them to copy the movement.
Say : "Our quiet neighbours, just passing by."
Do : Lower your voice for this sentence, encouraging a return to calm and awareness of the sounds and movement around them.
DEER
An 'no-objects required' sensory story told through human and nature-made sounds, gentle touch and guided movement.
Begin in a quiet spot. Invite the person to settle and notice the sounds and movement around them.
Say softly : “The forest is very quiet… shhhhh.”
Do : Pause and make a gentle “shhh” sound. Allow a few moments of stillness for listening.
Say : “The deer sniffs the air.”
Do : Sniff calmly but loudly. Encourage the person to breathe in slowly, as if smelling the forest.
Say : “Gently, she winds through the forest, one hoof in front of the other.”
Do : Click your fingers or tap gently on your own leg to mimic hooves. If appropriate, gently tap the person’s leg in rhythm to feel the walking motion.
Say : “The gentle breeze brushes her fur.”
Do : Blow softly on the person’s arm, hand, or shoulder to simulate a light breeze. Pause and allow them to feel the movement of air.
Say : “The deer stops to listen.”
Do : Gently tug or touch the person’s ear or guide their hand to their ear. Pause and wait a moment of stillness.
Say : “She hears birds singing.”
Do : Make short, soft whistle sounds.
Say : “All is calm. She is part of the forest… and so are we. Quietly listen and be.”
Do : Pause for quiet reflection. Offer a gentle hand hold or leave your hand nearby. Allow a few breaths of stillness before finishing.
DUCKS
Begin in a comfortable spot where the person can move or be moved gently and safely.
Say or Sing : “Let’s give a cheer…
Do : Make cheering sounds as loud or quietly as tolerated. Pause so the person can listen or join in.
Say or Sing : “the ducks are here.”
Do : Make QUACK sounds as loud or quietly as tolerated. Pause so the person can listen or join in.
Say or Sing : “They have flippy, flappy feet.”
Do : Walk like a duck, or tap or move the person’s feet gently in a flapping or stepping rhythm.
Say or Sing : “Their wings are so neat.”
Do : Move your arms like wings, assist the person to move theirs if possible, or lightly flutter your fingers along their arms so they feel the movement.
Say or Sing : “Their feathers shine.”
Do : Gently pat or smooth your own head, or with permission and if tolerated, softly stroke or pat the person’s head or hair.
Say or Sing : “They’re feeling fine.”
Do : Give a little hip or body wiggle, or gently rock the person’s hips or shoulders in a steady, calm rhythm.
Say or Sing : “The ducks are here…
Do : Make QUACK sounds as loud or quietly as tolerated. Pause so the person can listen or join in.
Say or Sing : “Let’s give a cheer…
Do : Make cheering sounds as loud or quietly as tolerated. Pause so the person can listen or join in.
OTTERS
A 'no-objects required' sensory story told through human and nature-made sounds, gentle touch and guided movement.
Begin in a quiet spot. Invite the person to settle and notice the sounds and movement around them.
Say : "The otter awakens and yawns a big yawn"
Do : Take a deep breath in and sigh it out in a big loud YAWN!
Say : "He lazily stretches out his arms and his legs"
Do : assist the person to stretch out their arms or legs if possible, or gently rub arms and legs.
Say : "Then leaves his holt and pads to the river"
Do : If tolerated, gently tap down legs to feet. Alternatively, gently clapping hands together as 'footsteps'
Say : "With a gentle splash, the otter slides into the cold river"
Do : Clap hands together, making a simultaneous 'Shhhh' sound
Say : "and joins his friends, tumbling and playing in the water"
Do : If tolerated, place your hand over the person's hand so it is gently cupped. Slowly roll your hand over and under theirs in a soft, tumbling motion, gently guiding the movement. Alternatively, cup your hands together and roll them over and under each other in a continuous tumbling motion.
Say : "Suddenly the otter spots the silvery sheen of a fish"
Do : Stop the tumbling motion and make a gasp sound, being aware of any potential startle response
Say : "He darts after it, swimming faster and faster"
Do : Place your hands over the person's hands so they are together in a loose 'prayer' shape. Gently guide the hands from side to side in a slow swimming motion, like a fish moving through water. If touch is not tolerated, perform the same movement yourself, moving your hands across their visual field.
Say : "Then success! He catches it!"
Do : Give a big clap to represent the otter catching the fish in his teeth.
Say : "The otter enjoys every bite of the tasty fresh fish."
Do : Clap softly several times
Say : "With his belly full, he lies back in the soft grass"
Do : Support the person to gently tap or rub their belly or if not possible, gently tap of rub their belly. If touch is not tolerated, rub your own belly and say "yum"
Say : "He lazily stretches out his arms and his legs"
Do : assist the person to stretch out their arms or legs if possible, or gently rub arms and legs.
Say : "He yawns a big yawn"
Do : Take a deep breath in and sigh it out in a big loud YAWN!
Say : "And falls asleep in the sunshine"
Do : If tolerated, rest your hands together beside the person's cheek like a pillow, making breathing in and making gentle shh sounds on the exhale. Or perform this yourself, gently tilting your head into your hands. You could also make a louder snoring noise if preferred.
WOODPECKER
A 'no-objects required' sensory story told through human and nature-made sounds, gentle touch and guided movement.
Begin in a quiet spot. Invite the person to settle comfortably and notice the sounds and movement around them.
Say : "In the quiet forest, we listen to the trees"
Do : Pause and listen together to the natural sounds around you.
Say : "We feel the breeze on our skin"
Do : Gently blow across the person's hands or arms, or create a light breeze with your hands or a fan.
Say : "We hear the occasional bird singing"
Do : Softly whistle in short bursts, like a bird
Say : "Then suddenly we hear..."
Do : Make a knock knock knock sound on a surface or by clicking your tongue
Say : "What is that?! What can it be?"
Do : Gasp and shrug
Say : "Aha, it’s the Woodpecker playing its forest melody!"
Do : Exaggerate the ‘aha’ when saying it or clap and smile!
Say : "Let’s play along with the Woodpecker"
Do : Demonstrate a simple tapping beat with your hands or knock on a surface and encourage the person you are supporting to copy you at their own pace, without pressure and providing support if needed.
Repeat with a variety of different knocking melodies and let the person take turns leading if they wish to.
Say : "The Woodpecker is tired now, the drumming slows and stops"
Do : Quieten and slow the beats down, then stop.
Say : "We only hear the occasional bird singing"
Do : Softly whistle in short bursts, like a bird.
Say : "We feel the breeze on our skin"
Do : Gently blow across the person's hands or arms, or create a light breeze with your hands or a fan.
Say : "In the quiet forest, we listen to the trees"
Do : Pause and listen together to the natural sounds around you.