Once Upon a Touch…: Story Massage for Children

A fun and creative way to increase general well-being, improve concentration and communication, and encourage relaxation for all ages and abilities, this book offers a hands-on guide to the Story Massage Programme.

Central to the book are step-by-step, illustrated instructions for ten easy-to-learn basic strokes which are given through clothes. No oil is used. These basic strokes have then been used to create over 25 massage stories which vary in length and complexity. The stories, songs and rhymes range from traditional nursery rhymes such as ‘Humpty Dumpty’ to hands-on learning stories such as ‘Walking on the Moon.’ It is a fun, flexible, and fully inclusive activity that can be enjoyed as a one-to-one or group session and as adult to child or peer massage.

An enjoyable and interactive way of sharing the benefits of safe and appropriate use of positive touch, this book will be of interest to parents and carers, bodyworkers, teachers and other staff in mainstream, and special schools, care workers and health professionals.