Story Massage Programme
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The Story Massage Programme shares simple stories through gentle touch using ten strokes. Always guided by consent, choice and respect. We all love stories.
It supports calm, connection and communication in homes, schools, and communities. When combined with the benefits of simple massage strokes, stories present wonderful opportunities for creative fun and therapeutic interaction. Sharing positive touch offers great scope for imaginative activity and learning for children and adults of all ages and abilities. The Story Massage Programme offers a variety of massage stories, songs and rhymes that can be used creatively in the family home, classroom or wider community. The Story Massage Programme is currently being used worldwide in a variety of settings including homes, schools, special schools, after-school clubs, family centres, hospices and hospitals.
I have always loved using picture books in different ways over the years in the classroom, therapeutic settings and as a parent with my three children.
I can’t go past a book shop without having a look.
In my experience, reading a picture book before sharing Story Massage can really help children engage with the theme and become familiar with what is happening in the story.
This Reel is from a Story Massage using Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.
Combining your voice, the words of the story and different Story Massage strokes can bring the story to life in a completely different way.
Sometimes you might want to create excitement and energy.
Other times you might use the story to slow things down and create a calmer moment.
That is one of the things I love about Story Massage. The same ten strokes can be adapted around so many different stories, themes and children.
14/10/2026
We all need connection, no matter our age.
From the very first moments of life through to our later years, positive human connection helps us feel safe, valued and understood.
A gentle touch, a reassuring hand, a shared smile or simply taking time to be present with someone can make such a difference to our emotional wellbeing.
Through the Story Massage Programme, we see how combining positive, respectful touch with stories, songs or poems can create opportunities for connection, communication and relaxation.
Sometimes it is the simplest moments of connection that mean the most.
Who will you make time to connect with today?
12/10/2026
One of the things I have always loved about Story Massage is how words can become something children can hear, see and feel.
A story is not just being read to them.
They are listening to the words, following the rhythm and experiencing the story through movement and touch.
When we repeat a familiar massage story, children hear the same words again and again in a meaningful way. This can help them become familiar with new vocabulary, remember the order of a story and begin to anticipate what might come next.
For some children, learning through words alone can be difficult.
Adding movement, rhythm and the Story Massage strokes gives another way to connect with the language.
It can be as simple as using a favourite nursery rhyme, a poem you are learning in class or a picture book the children already love.
I have seen many times how much more engaged children can become when we bring the words off the page and make the story something they can experience together.
Story Massage can be a lovely addition to literacy and communication work, but most importantly it can make sharing words and stories fun.
Over the past few years, I have shared this Story Massage about our feelings with thousands of children & young people. For some, it has opened the door to conversations with me or their parents about emotions they had been holding inside.
Gentle caring touch when welcomed can offer comfort, connection and a sense of safety. Sometimes that is just what we need to begin sharing how we really feel.
For World Mental Health Day today, I am sharing this follow along Story Massage for you to enjoy together.
A gentle reminder that all feelings matter and sometimes connection can help us find the words ❤️
08/10/2026
We spend so much time thinking about the wellbeing of the children, young people and adults we support.
Tonight is a little reminder to make some time for ourselves too.
Alongside Story Massage, I also run wellbeing sessions through Finding Your Wings, and this evening I am holding a free online relaxation session for teenagers and adults.
We will take some time to breathe, gently move and stretch, slow down and relax.
Nothing complicated.
Just some quiet time at the end of a busy day.
TONIGHT - Thursday 8 October - 9pm
Online and completely free
You can register here:
https://www.findingyourwings.ie/autumn-online-wellbeing-workshops
I would love you to join me.
If you know me through Story Massage, you will know that I use lots of different approaches to support wellbeing.
Sometimes that is through story and positive touch.
Sometimes it is through breath.
And sometimes children simply need to move.
In this clip I am sharing a simple cross crawl activity that can help bring children back into their body and help with focus and regulation.
This Friday I will be using lots of these practical tools in my live online World Mental Health Day workshops for schools through Finding Your Wings.
Friday 9 October
10am Junior and Senior Infants
11.30am 1st and 2nd Class
1.15pm 3rd to 6th Class
If you would like to experience more of the wider wellbeing approaches I use with children, you can still book here:
https://www.findingyourwings.ie/autumn-online-wellbeing-workshops
Schools can also request to pay by invoice through the booking page if needed.
If you have any queries about online or in person training with me for the Story Massage Programme please email [email protected]
If you know me through Story Massage, you will know how much I believe in giving children practical ways to support their own wellbeing.
Sometimes that might be through a story and positive touch.
Sometimes it might be movement.
And sometimes it can be something as simple as using your hand to guide your breathing.
In this clip I am sharing square breathing and talking about something I remember very clearly from my own school days.
I did not know then that I was dyslexic, but I knew the nervous tummy that came with spelling tests and mental maths.
It is one of the reasons I feel so strongly about giving children simple tools they can use for themselves when those feelings arrive.
This Friday I will be sharing lots of practical wellbeing ideas during my live online World Mental Health Day workshops for schools.
Friday 9 October
10am Junior and Senior Infants
11.30am 1st and 2nd Class
1.15pm 3rd to 6th Class
On Thursday (8th October) this week I am is also a FREE evening relaxation session for teenagers & adults
If you know me mainly through Story Massage, these sessions are also a chance to experience some of the wider wellbeing approaches I use with children.
Full details and booking:
https://www.findingyourwings.ie/autumn-online-wellbeing-workshops
Schools can also request to pay by invoice through the booking page if needed.
04/10/2026
World Mental Health Day is this Saturday 10th October 💚
Join me live online with your class this Friday 9th October for an interactive wellbeing workshop created to give children practical tools they can use in school, at home and in everyday life.
We will explore different breathing techniques, Brain Gym activities to support right and left brain connection, simple stretches, a story about emotions, Story Massage and time to slow down with relaxation.
The workshops are differentiated for each age group but you can attend the workshop that you feel would suit your class.
And if you cannot join us live, a recording will be sent afterwards so you can enjoy the session at a time that works for you.
I feel it is important to mark World Mental Health Day for all ages while giving children simple wellbeing tools they can return to again and again.
Book your age group session or choose all three workshops for €30 on my website.
There is also an option on the booking page to request and pay by invoice if this suits your school or ETB better.
02/10/2026
Last Friday I had a fabulous day in St. Gerard’s Special Schools in Belfast training 40 members of staff in the Story Massage Programme 🌻
I had a fabulous welcome as soon as I landed and left the school with a big smile on my face. It was a very interactive day with lots of. Hats, laughs & mindful moments. I added a staff relaxation at the end of the day as staff well-being is so important🦋
Thank you to Chez Emily for the heart chocolates for each person. We also had a little raffle with a box of chocolates & Relaxation Room spray by Josies Botanicals as everyone loves this spray 💚
I had lots of positive feedback from the staff including
‘✅Found the course very informative & enjoyable.
✅Very interactive, informative and also great fun.
✅Very informative seeing how Story Massage can be used for all age groups.
✅The demonstrations were very helpful to see how you can pair the movements with appropriate language.
✅It was helpful writing our own stories as a group & trying them out.
If you are planning a training day for your staff please get in touch to discuss the different options available 😊
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