The SLD Experience

“Audio... props... action”

Reproduction of an article from The SLD Experience (Autumn 2002), published by The British Institute of Learning Difficulties

How can you create a storytelling environment which brings children with severe and profound learning difficulties right into the action?

This challenging question was tackled by Vocal Image, working in association with Sue Laurie, Maria Britton and Stella Benjamin from Lindon Bennett School in Hanworth, during the design of its new range of sensory stories on audio CD. So let's start by considering what it takes to produce a good play:

Story script - featuring the characters, their words and actions.
Scenery - the backdrop which puts the story into context and gives it atmosphere.
Props - objects with which the actors interact as the action continues.
Actors - people who convey the meaning of the story through their actions.
Director - someone who ensures that all the elements work together in harmony.

Sticking with the theatrical analogy, traditional sensory stories use most of these ingredients. The props used are of course sensory props, stimulating as many of the senses as possible. The children are the actors - they are the people experiencing the props. The teacher takes the role of director and often narrator too. However the task of creating a special atmosphere and retaining the storytelling flow can be a difficult one, especially if the teacher is trying to juggle different tapes and CDs. Let's take another look at the first two points and see why:

Story script

The script should set out the story narrative, the timing and nature of relevant sound effects and music, and the related sensory activities. Ideally therefore, this type of script should be written specifically with sensory activities in mind - existing general stories are unlikely to make the most of potential sensory opportunities. Adapting an existing story may appear to be an attractive route, however the process of adaptation may in itself diminish the storytelling flow.

Scenery

We all take scenery for granted, whether it is an impressive landscape in a film, carefully constructed stage set in the theatre or conveyed through words and pictures in a book. Whatever the medium, the scenery has to be seamless and appropriate to maintain the story-telling illusion. What about sensory stories? Given the impracticality of real scenery sound represents the most effective alternative.

Sound has some interesting characteristics which lends itself to creating atmosphere. Firstly, professionally recorded sounds played back on a reasonable audio system can be very realistic. Secondly, even when a child's attention is drawn to a sensory prop, they will still be able to hear background sound. Thirdly, you also have the opportunity to use music, which many of these children find very stimulating and enjoyable.

"Audio scenery" can therefore be used to create the context for a sensory story and give it that all important special atmosphere. Furthermore a carefully designed audio production can include all the narrative, sound effects and music required and link them to the sensory activities in such a way that the storytelling flow continues without interruption.

Putting it all together

Based on these conclusions, Vocal Image has produced a range of specially written sensory stories which are professionally recorded onto audio CD. The range, called Story Sensations, now includes 4 titles suitable for children aged 3 to 11 years:

Lofty Visits The Farm
Lofty Goes To The Seaside
Lofty's Safari Adventure
Lofty, The Great Nature Trail Detective.

Each story is written so that the children join in with Lofty (a friendly rabbit) to experience the adventure for themselves.

The sensory story pack includes a Story Script, Audio CD and Teacher's Guide to get you up and running as quickly as possible. All you have to do is supply the props. Lindon Bennett have used their extensive experience of teaching children with severe and profound learning difficulties to ensure that the suggested props and activities are fun, relevant, practical and safe.

Lots of opportunities

Now that the story script and "audio scenery" have been created, the opportunities to use Story Sensations in different ways has become apparent.

Switches with recording facilities can be used to store sounds from the story, giving children the chance to repeat the sounds they hear, or even retell the story in a simplified form.
Alternative props and activities can be used to extend the range of abilities – for example, pupils could help create a scene using models to act out the story as they listen to the CD.

"Audio... props... action"

So switch on the CD, fetch out your props and get ready for the children to be at the centre of the action in another Story Sensations adventure!