{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"Nicola Hilliard, Creative Content Producer","standfirst":"From intriguing characters to gripping plots, books play an important role for adults and young people. Here\u0027s 8 book-tastic activities you can to celebrate stories!","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EStories have always helped change, expand and enrich the world. They\u0027ve united us, inspired us, and helped us travel to imaginative lands.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBut, did you know stories we hear growing up shape our view of the world?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EStories help young people deal with some real-life situations they may come across. Research shows that reading about a situation helps young people work out how to solve it in.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYoung people who have fiction read to them regularly also find it easier to understand other people. They show more empathy, and have a better ability to understand that other people have different thoughts and feelings to us.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETo celebrate International Literacy Day, here are 8 great activities all about books.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/19202/smiling-squirrel.jpg","width":7000,"height":4667,"altText":"A squirrel smiling and looking towards the left hand side of frame","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":true,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EStory stones help you tell your favourite story or create your own stories, using characters and items made from painted stones. You could do one stone each or a set of stones, depending on how much time you have.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou\u2019ll need some paints, paintbrushes and craft stones. You could also use acrylic paint pens or paint deco pens.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPeople could also use self adhesive items, such as stickers, or use glue and craft materials to stick and decorate things onto the stone.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBefore starting, cover the floor or table with newspaper or a tablecloth.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFirst, sketch out your design in pencil. Then, get painting!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce finished, everyone should help tidy up and leave their stone(s) somewhere safe to dry.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce the stones have dried, split everyone into smaller groups.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPeople could tell each other their story or work together to make up a story using their stones. If you\u2019re telling or making up a story, each person should use at least one of their stones as part of the story. Make sure everyone in the group has a part in telling the story if they want to.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe story can be about anything they want. Encourage people to be as creative and imaginative as they can to see if they can make up a new story.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Design some story stones"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFirst, you need to decide who your library is for.\u00A0It could be your own Scouts book club, just for your Section or Group.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt could also go even wider into your local community, if you\u2019ve somewhere to store your library safely.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYour library doesn\u2019t need to just be books. You may also want to make a library of toys, magazines, films or CDs, which people can use and bring back. If you live near a beach, you could also create a library of beach toys for people to use while on there.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAsk everyone to think about what they\u0027d like to share in their library.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EInvite everyone to bring in a book, or a chosen item, that they\u2019d like to share with the section.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERemember, cost may be a barrier for some people. One option would be for your section or Group to buy a selection of books, or other chosen items. They could be sourced from a charity shop, supermarket, book shop or online for everyone to use and choose from.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERemind everyone, including parents and carers, not to donate anything of sentimental or treasured value. Items will be taken and swapped, so anything donated, won\u2019t necessarily be returned.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYour little library could be housed in anything from an upcycled book shelf or a storage box to an old shoe rack or a trolley. Make sure to choose a container that\u2019s durable and weatherproof. It may need to be lockable and something that can be easily stored at your meeting place.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen ready, put all the items into the library. Your library\u2019s now open for lending!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYour Scout volunteer team can decide how to operate the library and if items need to be signed in and out, as well as how long they can be borrowed for. You could even create library cards and ask for regular donations to the library, too.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Put together a little library"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYou can go almost anywhere with a story and your imagination. It\u2019s time to choose a storybook and go on an adventure!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEveryone should sit in a circle and think about stories they\u2019ve read before. Can anyone remember an adventure from a storybook? What made the adventure fun or exciting?\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EChoose a story for everyone to read together, before you all go on the same adventure.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERead the story together, then think about the characters. What did they do? Did anyone have a favourite character? Why was that character their favourite?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThink about the story \u2013 what adventure did the characters go on? What do people think might happen next? Did everyone like the story?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENow it\u2019s time to head out on an adventure. Remind everyone that they\u2019ll go on the same adventure as the characters in the book.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf there are props, everyone should grab a piece of equipment or clothing that they\u2019d like to use on their adventure.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EStart the adventure by following the story while acting out each scene. You can go outside, stay inside, or use both outdoor and indoor spaces.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce everyone\u2019s finished their adventure, you can sit down and chat about it. You may want to draw a picture of your story.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhat did people enjoy? Did anyone have a favourite part? What was the hardest part of the adventure? Would people like to do anything different to the people in the story?\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Act out your favourite adventure"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA flip book is a small book with images on each page that change slightly. They\u2019re a basic version of animation. When the pages are flipped through, the images look like they\u2019re moving and makes something happen. It gives the illusion of movement or animation.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEveryone should start by thinking of what they\u2019d like to draw in their flip book.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThey could make something that gradually \u0027moves\u0027 across the page, such as an inching caterpillar.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThey could also create a visual story about something that changes in size, going from small to big or big to small, such as a flower growing.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECut the paper into your desired size. A hand-held size, such as the size of a sticky note or small notebook, in rectangles or squares is ideal. This makes it easier to flip the book\u0027s pages quickly and get the desired animation effect.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou might want to put in about 20 sheets of paper to begin with. The more papers in your book the better, because it\u2019ll also help your book flip more effectively.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou\u2019ll need to staple all the paper sheets together on one side to make them like a book.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAnother option is to hole punch one side of the paper, then secure the pages with paper fasteners. With these, you can add and remove pages to the book more easily than with staples. You can also use two bulldog clips to hold the paper sheets together on one side.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you don\u2019t want to use paper, a small notebook or using sticky note pads are a good alternative.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen it\u2019s created, fill in your book and colour it in. Then, get practising and share it with a friend.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Draw your own flip book"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EEveryone should stand in a circle. Someone needs to have a ball or a beanbag.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe aim of the game is to work together to create a story. As you pass the ball or beanbag round the circle, each person should add a sentence to the story, then pass the ball or beanbag on again.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEncourage people to use cliffhangers to help the story to grow. People can be really creative or imaginative - there\u2019s no right answer in storytelling!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe first person should hold the ball or beanbag and begin a story. For example, they might say \u2018in a deep, dark forest, there was a\u2026\u2019 then pass the story on.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThey then throw the ball or beanbag to another person who must continue the story. Keep going until the story is finished or everyone\u2019s had a turn.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou could then create artwork or a comic book based on the story you\u2019ve told.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Play catch a story"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHere\u2019s how to make monster bookmarks. Although, you could make it into anything you want, such as animals, aliens or sea creatures.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEveryone should think about the monster bookmark they\u2019d like to create.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETo start, cut a strip of card for each person. The strips should be about 15cm tall and 6cm wide.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENext, cut two slits down the middle of each strip of card. The slits should each be about 8cm long and 2cm apart. This should create a flap, which will be the monster\u2019s nose and help the bookmark stay in place on the pages.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPeople could cut across the bottom of the flap to create a shape to their monster nose. It\u2019s up to them what shape the end of the monster\u2019s nose is \u2013 it could be rounded, pointy, or even spiky!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENow, either draw eyes or stick googly eyes above the nose. They\u2019re making a monster, so people can add as many eyes as they like.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EUse a hole punch to create one or two, or maybe more, holes in the top of their bookmark. This is where you need to attach antennae.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEveryone should thread pipe cleaners through the holes they punched, and twist them until they\u2019re secure. It\u2019s up to them what shape they make their antennae \u2013 they could bend them so they wiggle, zig-zag, or stand up straight.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou could also thread through wool or ribbon for hair, instead of pipe cleaners.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFinish up your monster bookmark by adding some extra decoration. Draw on patterns, add stickers, or use other craft decorations to make the monster come to life.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce it\u2019s dry, people can test their bookmark by slotting its nose onto a page. It\u2019s googly eyes and antennae should peep out over the top, while its nose marks the page.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Make a monster bookmark"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA comic tells a story, often of an adventure someone has. Comic books often tell the stories of superheroes, people or animals.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETake some pens, plain paper or card, rulers and pencils. Everyone needs to think about their story and plan what happens in the beginning, in the middle and at the end.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPeople may plan what the characters say, who the character is and what they do. They may also want to add in a cliffhanger between pages.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce people have drawn their boxes, either on one or several pieces of paper, they should draw out their story in pencil.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn a comic book, there\u2019s usually four to six boxes per page. Some are square, some are rectangular and some can be fun shapes.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFor huge moments, surprises or a twist, you could have your page end on a dramatic note and turn into a splash page. A splash page is a page that has a big image rather than lots of panels, so you can really highlight the action.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPeople could use a comic strip template, too.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERemind people to mark out space for speech or writing, before they use a pen or colour in their comic. A really common mistake for new comic artists is to pack their panels with pictures, leaving no room for speech.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u0027s best to mark out space for bubbles before you start drawing. Normally, it\u2019s easiest to put speech at the top or bottom of a panel and to keep the bubble close to the character who\u0027s speaking. Be sure to point the speech bubble\u0027s tail toward their mouth!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERemember, not all comics have speech bubbles \u2013 some comics have no words at all!\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen people are ready, begin outlining everything in a black pen. Comic books often have everything outlined to make it stand out. They could then colour in their story using pencil crayons or felt tips, before.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce finished, people could make a cover page and staple their pages together. They may want to laminate their paper to help make it more durable.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf they\u2019re happy to, people could share their comics with each other for friends to read.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Create a comic book"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EEveryone should meet in a library. Tell everyone you\u2019re going on a scavenger hunt.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EExplain you\u2019ll be asking people to find specific items in the library. You may want to ask someone who works at the library to give everyone a tour of the facilities and let people know any areas that are out of bounds.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPeople should get into groups of three or four. Remind everyone of the library\u2019s rules, such as staying quiet and respecting other users.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThere are lots of ways to play this game, such as:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAsk all teams to find the same item, then bring them back before a certain length of time passes.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAsk all teams to find a different item, then bring them back before a certain length of time passes.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAsk teams to look for an item, then send one person to find it within a time limit. Any team that brings the correct item back in the time limit gets a point.\u00A0\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAsk teams to look for the item and the first team to bring it back gets the most points. For example, if you had 10 teams, the first team back would get ten points, the second team would get nine points, the third team would get eight points and so on.\u00A0\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou may want to give the teams a timer to help with time management and when to come back.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYour items should all be on the same floor and be focused around books. You may want to stay in the young people\u2019s section. Remind everyone not to leave the library or take any items that you need to pay for.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDepending on the age of the group, the items could vary and be harder or easier. For example, some items could be:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA green book\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA book by a specific author\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA picture book\u00A0\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA book with more than 600 pages\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA book with someone on the cover that looks like you\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA pop-up book\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA book that\u2019s been turned into a film\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA non-fiction book\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA book that\u2019s won a prize\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA book about Squirrels\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA book that\u2019s set in the jungle\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA comic book\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Go on a book scavenger hunt"}]},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/14855/gncc_nvw.jpeg","width":1920,"height":1250,"altText":"A Squirrel Scout reads from the Squirrels story book.","caption":"","link":null}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EThe secrets of sensational storytelling\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EStorytelling is an important part of all our lives. It can often be a highlight of the young person\u2019s experience of Scouts, from Squirrels stories to campfire tales.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHowever, we realise that not everyone feels comfortable when it comes to storytelling.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHere are our top tips to help everyone feel more confident with storytelling.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":true,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPreparation is the key to a successful story session, particularly if you\u2019re feeling a little out of your comfort zone.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChoose a comfy location. \u003C/strong\u003ETry to designate a special \u2018story\u2019 rug or mat for the group to sit on or sit in a circle. Make sure to remove any distractions, such as books or toys, within easy reach.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead the story beforehand: \u003C/strong\u003EBefore reading to a group, read the story out loud a few times to yourself. This will help you feel more comfortable with it and help you get the pace right. It\u2019ll also help you find the places to pause or spot things to ask questions about.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBring it to life: \u003C/strong\u003EAs you\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C/strong\u003Epractice the story, see how you can bring it to life. If the story calls for a silly voice, try to do a silly voice. If it needs you to act frightened, act frightened. You could think about actions or sound effects people could do too.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOnly have one person read each story:\u003C/strong\u003E Having more than one person reading the story will make it difficult to follow. Other people can support everyone to interact with the story and listen.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThink of questions to ask:\u003C/strong\u003E It\u0027s good to ask questions after the story. You could ask what happened, what people enjoyed about the story or what they think happens next. Questions will help people\u2019s understanding of the story and support their ability to critically analyse similar situations in the future.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Perfect your preparation"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIt\u0027s okay to feel nervous, but remember it\u2019s going to be great! Many young people love stories and being read to is a great experience so enjoy it and they will too. However nervous you\u2019re feeling inside, try to look happy and confident.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGo slowly:\u003C/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;If you\u2019re nervous you\u2019ll tend to speed up, often without realising. Try to actively go slowly to make the story clear.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELook at people if you can: \u003C/strong\u003EEven if your nervous, try to make eye contact or look at people. You may want to find a focal spot to look at above people\u0027s heads, so you can look out at the audience without making eye contact.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEncourage participation and interaction: \u003C/strong\u003EA story meeting is interactive, so interact. Use the recurring words and catchphrases in the stories to get people involved and saying them with you. Get people to join in with sound effects too, such as roaring like a lion or whooshing like a tree\u0027s branches. If people get overexcited, simply pause or put the book aside until they quieten down.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInteract with what\u0027s happening in the story:\u003C/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;Encourage the young people to respond to the words and pictures. Ask questions and don\u2019t be afraid to go off script. For example, \u2018Who\u2019s afraid of sharks?\u2019 or \u2018And what do you think happened next?\u2019\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInvolve other adults: \u003C/strong\u003EIf you\u2019re nervous about reading in front of other adults, don\u2019t be! They\u0027re there to help make the meeting a success, so make sure you create opportunities for them to get involved in the storytelling too. Getting them to sit with the young people during the story is a good way to get them involved.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Make stories interactive"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe story may be over for now, so remember to tell yourself well done! You may want to take time thinking over what went well and what you may change next time.\u00A0Always remember, when it comes to reading a story, play to your strengths. No two readers are alike. Some are natural performers, others are better at just being themselves. There is no \u2018right\u2019 way to read a story - it\u0027s perfect in just your own way.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EReflect and review. \u003C/strong\u003ETake time to review the meeting and think about what worked and what didn\u2019t. If things went well, brilliant. Whatever you did, keep on doing it.\u00A0\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMake notes for next time.\u003C/strong\u003E If things didn\u2019t go so well, try to work out why. It may be you need to ask people to put teddies away or close the blinds. Learn from it, put it behind you, and move on.\u00A0\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Reflect on your storytelling at the end"}]},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/18265/volunteer-sitting-with-beaver.jpg","width":7000,"height":4667,"altText":"A volunteer and a Beaver, both wearing neckers, sit on the ground outside.","caption":"","link":null}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAll Scout activities must be safely managed.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou need to complete a \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/risk-assessments/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Risk assessments\u0022\u003Erisk assessment\u003C/a\u003E\u00A0and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safe-scouting-cards/staying-safe-safety-checklist/staying-safe-leaders/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Staying Safe - Leaders\u0022\u003Esafety checklist\u003C/a\u003E to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Take a look at our guidance to help you carry out your\u00A0\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/risk-assessments/\u0022\u003Erisk assessment\u003C/a\u003E, including examples.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAlways get approval for the activity and have suitable \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/planning-and-assessing-risk/guidance-for-supervision-of-activities/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Guidance for supervision of activities\u0022\u003Esupervision\u003C/a\u003E\u00A0and an \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/intouch/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022InTouch\u0022\u003EInTouch\u003C/a\u003E\u00A0process.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMake sure you\u2019ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help if you\u2019re short on helpers.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMake sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe activity area should be free of hazards. Explain the activity or game clearly and have a clear way to communicate that the activity must stop when needed.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen using glues and solvents, supervise young people appropriately when they\u2019re using the products. Make sure there\u2019s plenty of ventilation. Be aware of any medical conditions which could be affected by glue or solvent use and make adjustments as needed.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen using scissors, supervise young people appropriately. Store all sharp objects securely, out of the reach of young people.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022ui-provider en bzh bwb cto ctp ctq ctr cts ctt ctu ctv ctw ctx cty ctz cua cub cuc cud cue cuf cug cuh cui cuj cuk cul cum cun cuo cup cuq cur cus cut\u0022\u003EMake sure craft equipment and materials are age appropriate. Make sure small objects are not put in mouths, ears and noses. Remind young people not to put anything in their mouth and wash hands regularly.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022ui-provider en bzh bwb cto ctp ctq ctr cts ctt ctu ctv ctw ctx cty ctz cua cub cuc cud cue cuf cug cuh cui cuj cuk cul cum cun cuo cup cuq cur cus cut\u0022\u003ERemember to read books beforehand and make sure the topics and book content are suitable and appropriate for everyone in the group.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cdiv id=\u0022safety-block\u0022 data-v-8c052a80=\u0022\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cdiv id=\u0022safety-block-main\u0022 class=\u0022mb-8\u0022 data-v-8c052a80=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffe627","title":"Staying safe","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EMake it accessible\u003C/h3\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":true,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMake sure there\u2019s a way to include everyone in a game or activity.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf anyone doesn\u2019t feel comfortable playing the game or taking part in the activity, give them the opportunity to take on another role instead. Some examples are reading the story, playing or stopping music, or writing down ideas.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe activities could be played in pairs if people don\u2019t want to take part alone. Remember, people who struggle with making choices could find all the options a bit overwhelming, so they might need extra support or to work with a young leader/volunteer to be able to choose something.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Make sure there are roles for everyone"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPeople may prefer to work in groups or pairs when suggesting their ideas.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf someone needs support in writing down their ideas or drawing, give them the opportunity to work with someone else to help them. You could also have pictures, scissors and glue sticks available for people to create collages rather than writing or drawing.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf they find it difficult, you could have a ready-made list of ideas for people to use and pick from. It might inspire another idea!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAnyone who struggles with creating a design could be given a template with a pre-drawn image that they can glue or stick craft materials onto. They could also be given printed designs to colour in or copy.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf people may struggle to create their own or use their imagination, they could have a selection of question prompts to help them or a \u2018fill in the blanks\u2019 activity to help them be creative.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Thinking of ideas"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPeople could work in pairs if someone doesn\u2019t want to do the activity independently or if someone may need more support by working together to take part. If someone might struggle with an activity, their partner could then help them.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAdults can take a step back or get more involved depending on how people are getting on.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E \u003C/span\u003EIf needed, let people be in bigger groups to make sure everyone\u2019s supported in taking part in the activity. A young leader could join a group to help people to take part, too.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou can have the discussion together to help people come up with ideas and have a few ideas written down to help people. People could also work in pairs or small groups to come up with ideas.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Working with a partner or in a group"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPeople who struggle with making choices could find all the options a bit overwhelming, so they might need extra support. They might want to work with a friend, young leader or volunteer to be able to help to them decide.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPeople who struggle with making choices could find all the options a bit overwhelming, so they might need extra support. They might want to work with a friend, young leader or volunteer to be able to help them to choose.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPeople could work in pairs or small groups to come up with ideas or make decisions.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou could offer lots of different ideas for each activity, so there are lots of ideas for people to choose from and suggestions that are suitable for everyone.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou could have a whole group discussion before letting people make a decision, as this might help people think of ideas or choose the best option for them.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Making decisions"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMake sure to break instructions and information up into smaller \u0027chunks\u0027 so no one feels overwhelmed.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETake time and have patience while telling everyone what to do. Give short instructions clearly and concisely.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you need to, pause, then repeat the same instruction using the same words. You should allow extra \u0027thinking\u0027 time for some people to process verbal or written information and respond.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen giving instructions, be clear and literal, so say what you actually mean and avoid sarcasm or sayings. Try to avoid metaphors and colloquialisms, such as \u2018it\u2019s raining cats and dogs\u2019, as these can be confusing and make people worry.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen giving instructions, make sure any actions are things everyone can do and check that everyone is comfortable and happy in taking part.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou could do the activity and have everyone watch a demonstration or show everyone an example to make sure everyone knows what they\u2019re doing. Check for understanding by asking the group questions, such as \u2018what do you need to do first?\u2019, or having a practice round of a game.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAlways try to avoid shouting or using whistles. Some people may not understand why you\u0027re shouting and could find this distressing, particularly if they\u0027re hypersensitive to noise. If it\u2019s tricky for everyone to hear the instructions being called out while moving around, call everyone together and give the instructions in a circle instead.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf people are struggling to understand or know what to do, you could let any confident young people help explain to each other what to do.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Following instructions"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIf it\u2019s too noisy and anyone doesn\u2019t like the noise, the person leading the activity can remind everyone to be quieter. You could have a noise level warning system to help everyone be reminded of the noise levels. The person could wear ear defenders, or you could run the activity outside or over a larger space to reduce the noise. Shutting doors and windows can help to reduce external sounds, too.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETo take part in a noisy activity, an individual with hearing loss might find it more comfortable to turn their hearing aid off. If this is their regular practice, you\u0027ll need to make sure that it\u0027s turned on again afterwards.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou may want to have a space for people to take a break if they\u2019re overwhelmed. It may have colouring in, cuddly toys, sensory and fidget toys, soft seats or some books.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMake sure an individual with hearing loss can clearly see the person speaking, as they may find it helpful to read lips or body language.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAvoid shouting or using whistles. Some people may not understand why you\u0027re shouting and could find this distressing, particularly if they\u0027re hypersensitive to noise.\u00A0Instead, try putting your hand up to get everyone\u2019s attention.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Noisy activities"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFor anyone who may not be able to hear the instructions or activity, consider printing them a version that they can read at the same time.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERemember that listening skills aren\u2019t the same for all young people. For example, a young person may need to move, lie down, be standing or fiddle with something, rather than sit in one place to do their best listening. \u2018Sitting still\u2019 can make listening more difficult.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERemember some people, including autistic people, might not look at you while you\u2019re speaking. This doesn\u2019t mean they\u0027re not listening. Eye contact can be painful for some people and shouldn\u0027t be forced.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf it\u2019s tricky for everyone to hear the actions or instructions being called out while moving around, this game could be played in a circle instead.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETry to build movement breaks into your activities to help people who may struggling sitting and listening for long periods.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETry to build movement breaks into your activities to help people who may struggling sitting and listening for long periods.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAllow young people to work in different positions, rather than just sat at a table or in a circle.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EConsider having a sensory box with different sensory input games/toys, though what this includes may be different depending on the needs of the young people.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAdapt the story to your audience. Some stories could be read with actions or done using Makaton or British Sign Language (BSL).\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Taking part in listening activities"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EConsider alternative ways of taking part reading or writing activities. For example, using pictures, acting out ideas, or working in pairs and small groups with one person writing for everyone.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAnyone who struggles with reading can partner up with a confident reader or join a group with a more confident reader who\u2019s happy to read out loud. People should feel free to ask if they don\u2019t understand any of the words.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf anyone in your group is blind or partially sighted, you may want to have braille copies or see if you can create an audio version for people to listen to. If anyone\u2019s colour-blind, you may need to use different colours or different materials, so everyone can see the item.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf someone has dyslexia, provide written information either on a light-coloured paper, such as cream or light pink, or encourage the person to use a coloured overlay. You could ask them which colour of paper or coloured overlay helps them.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMake sure to create printed copies large enough for everyone to be able to see or read them. For anyone who may not be able to read the words clearly, consider making the words larger, using an easy to read and large print font.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETry to use a Sans Serif font on all printed materials, such as Arial, Nunito Sans or Comic Sans. Make sure the font is at least 12 point or above.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen using written resources, try to provide them electronically to allow use of magnification software. People could also have access to magnifying glasses.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou could support verbal information using visual resources, so either having it written down or a guide using pictures/symbols. Take a look at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/inclusion-and-diversity/supporting-those-with-additional-needs-and-neurodiversity/communication-and-interaction/visual-supports/\u0022\u003Evisual support section\u003C/a\u003E for more ideas about supporting information visually.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Using visual resources"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIt doesn\u2019t matter how people want to tell others a story. They don\u2019t have to write or draw if they\u2019d prefer to communicate in another way. People should share in whatever way works for them, whether that\u2019s writing, drawing, speaking or something else.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERemember, people should only speak or read aloud if they\u0027re happy and comfortable to. Not everyone has to speak or read in front of others.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESome people may not want to speak in front of everyone. Instead of sharing with a big group, people could do the activity in pairs or smaller groups. However, no one has to share anything if they don\u2019t feel comfortable doing so.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf a player has difficulties communicating verbally you could explore doing an activity without speaking. Why not try using visual images, emojis or playing charades?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA closed choice can be easier to make than an open question, as people can nod or shake their head in response. You could also give people cards to hold up, show a number using their fingers, or have whiteboards for people to write on and hold up their response. Remember to not speak on behalf of the young person.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf a young person mispronounces a word or a sentence, you could repeat it after them in the correct form. This\u2019ll help them learn for next time and is much more useful than saying what they said is wrong or \u2018correcting\u2019 them.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Verbal communication"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPeople should share in whatever way works for them, whether that\u2019s writing, drawing, speaking, or something else. Remember, people should only present back to other groups if they\u0027re happy and comfortable to. Not everyone has to present back to other groups.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s OK if not everyone wants to act in the roleplay or act and speak in front of the group. Some people could narrate or help to direct.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESome people may struggle with improvisation in a drama activity. You could have some question prompts or work with a partner who enjoys improv and imagination games.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Drama, acting and improvisation"}]}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"13 September 2023","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Scouts Activity Finder","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/","newWindow":true}],"relatedLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Squirrels Story Time Activity Badge","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/squirrels/activity-badges/story-time/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Beavers Book Reader Activity Badge","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/beavers/activity-badges/book-reader/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Cubs Book Reader Activity Badge","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/cubs/activity-badges/book-reader/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Scouts Librarian Activity Badge","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/scouts/activity-badges/librarian/","newWindow":false}],"id":76870,"nodeName":"8 brilliant activities for International Literacy Day","title":"8 book-rilliant activities for International Literacy Day","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/21156/two-squirrels-sitting-on-ground-listening.jpg?cc=0.0000000000000001263187085796,0.06666190510201654,0,0.08964835845058677\u0026width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dadf67f7e61ed0","caption":"Two Squirrels sitting on grass listening and laughing","type":"jpg","size":1712541,"width":7000,"height":4667,"altText":"Two Squirrels in red jumpers and neckers sitting on ground outside listening and laughing"},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"8 book-rilliant activities for International Literacy Day","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC83Njg3MCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2023/september/8-brilliant-activities-for-international-literacy-day/"}