Sensory Songs: Under the Wishing Tree is a musical adventure created especially for children with autism. Whistleberry Forest is a beautiful forest full of leafy trees and curious creatures. As you walk through the forest, you can hear twigs snap beneath your feet. When you look up, you can see the sunshine through the leaves. When you take a deep breath, you can smell the fresh scent of pinecones in the air.

In the middle of Whistleberry Forest, you will find a very magical Wishing Tree where the creatures of the forest often gather to make their very own wish. 

Led by Dr Thomas Johnston, a traditional musician and Artistic Director of Ceol Connected, and Orla Kelly, a visual artist and Director of Early Childhood Creativity, the project is multisensory in nature, incorporating light, sound, touch, smell, texture etc. Due to covid restrictions, the artists recorded a workshop in the Market House, Monaghan which was shared with the participating schools along with specially made multisensory boxes. An online session was facilitated for the teachers on how to use the video and the boxes.

Piloted for Culture night and due to the success of it, we will roll it out to other primary schools with autism/special needs units in Co. Monaghan over the winter of 2020 where more children will be given the opportunity to participate and the schools will have a lasting resource for the future also.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.