Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Touching Stories? We are a non-profit organization dedicated to the goal of creating community and connection through storytelling. Our StoryCrafters program is designed for primary-grade school children and our Touching Stories program brings specially designed stories and books to children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Why does the intellectually disabled community need specialized stories? Our stories are designed to be simple and experiential in a way that people with intellectual disabilities can connect to and will enjoy over and over again. The stories promote language learning and have an emphasis on touch and connection, and we are building a library of stories that accurately reflect the experience of the intellectually disabled community.
Can you tell me more about your programs?The Touching Stories program is our program for people with intellectual disabilties. Using multi-sensory storybooks and telling technique, we make stories come to life for those who may not have the cognitive ability to understand stories through words alone.
In addition, we offer the StoryCrafters program, which is geared toward school-aged children. The program is designed to increase children's literacy and performance skills by introducing them to folk tales, fables and original stories though active telling, arts and crafts, and a chance for the children themselves to become storytellers as they take on roles and act out the story.
StoryCrafters is rooted in Multiple Intelligences theory and is designed to reach children though all the myriad ways that they learn.
Are your programs only for people with intellectual disabilties? Touching Stories is designed specifically for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, but the StoryCrafters program, while uniquely successful with children with learning disabilities (ADHD, Dyslexia, and Sensory Integration Disorder), is a fun and approachable way to learn and tell stories for all children.
Is there research that supports the multi-sensory storytelling method? Yes! Multiple studies illustrate the benefits of a multi-sensory approach in teaching, especially for those with learning differences.
Where are your programs offered? StoryCrafters is offered primarily in schools and libraries, but is a great activity for church groups, daycares, summer camps and birthday parties. Touching Stories is offered in special ed classrooms, at libraries, community centers and day programs for people with disabilties. How much do your programs cost? We are committed to offering the Touching Stories program at a cost each agency in need can afford. We will work with you to build a program that meets you need. Contact Gwen Bonilla at 720-488-8641 or gwen@touchingstories.org to discuss pricing.The cost of bringing the StoryCrafters program to your school or library depends of the size of the group, and the length of the program. Whenever possible, we try to work with schools and agencies to meet both your needs and ours. Please contact Gwen Bonilla at gwen@touchingstories.org for detailed pricing.What size groups do you tell to? Touching Stories is ideal for groups of up to seven. Its hands-on approach makes smaller groups necessary.
Storycrafters is best with a minimum of four participants and a maximum of twelve, although the program can be easily adapted to accommodate groups of up to 30 or 40. I would like to learn to tell multi-sensory stories. Do you offer trainings? Absolutely. Training teachers, librarians and staff is an essential element of the Touching Stories program and is included in every storytelling session we offer.
Storycrafters is an inexpensive and effective way to bring stories to children, and we love to train teachers, librarians, and daycare providers in our methods. Contact Gwen Bonilla at gwen@touchingstories.org for more information.
Where did the idea for your program come from? Gwen Bonilla began the StoryCrafters program in 2006 at her son's school. Her instinctive understanding that getting kids involved with story through all their senses and using their whole bodies proved to be tremendously successful.
Research into the benefits of multi-sensory storytelling led her to a UK organization called Bag Books that distributed and performed multi-sensory tales for people with intellectual disabilities. This was the inspiration for the Touching Stories program. We are deeply indebted to Bag Books for their support and assistance in the creation of Touching Stories.
How can I help? Our greatest need is for financial support to help us bring our Touching Stories to schools, libraries and day programs, but we also have material needs for the items required to keep making our books and to keep our office running. Please look to the wish list on our website for specific needs.
