Life stories

Suitability: A flexible activity which can be easily tailored for ages 5+ to early adulthood. You can use a range of communication methods including verbal, written, visual art, film, audio recordings, sign language and other practical tools designed to support people with learning disabilities.

What this activity is for:

• Boosting confidence and self-esteem
• Developing positive sense of identity
• Building empathy towards self and others
• Developing healthy relationships between children and young people as well as parents/carers and staff
• Promoting respect and understanding of individuality and diversity

Activity: Step-by-Step

1. Choose one topic as a focus from the themes outlined in the table below
2. Work in pairs -This activity offers an excellent opportunity to build relationships and empathy between young people who may not often engage with each other
3. One reporter, one storyteller - Decide who goes first.
4. Listen & capture - The storyteller talks about the topic from a personal perspective while the reporter listens, asks questions where needed and records the key points
5. Swap roles - Focusing on the same theme, reporter & storyteller switch tasks
6. Listen & capture - Repeat Step 4.
7. Choose another topic and begin the process again. Of course no two life stories are ever the same!

Presentations: 'Life Stories' can be presented to a class or group as a shared outcome of the activity. Children and young people who have developed each other’s life stories in pairs can continue to work together to present the information they have gathered in a format which is appropriate to any communication needs they may have. For example, ‘life stories’ can be presented as a poster, booklet, PowerPoint presentation, audio recording, film or oral presentation. Such presentations can fit within existing support activities such as circle time.

Themes: This practical framework offers a range of colour-coded themes, topics and questions for life stories activities. This is merely for inspiration - feel free to come up with your own ideas! Any topic can provide the focus for a one-off activity or you can work through them all as a longer term project…