WellBeing Story Massage and why it is a key part of our unique programme

Reading to our babies and children is a beautiful activity and our course uses our own massage story book – The Seal Who Was Scared of The Sea – to show parents how they can get the most out of this time together.

Massage and story time increase oxytocin levels (the relaxing, feel-good hormone) for both parent and child, and has a great influence on interaction, behaviour and bonding.

Our first WellBeing Story Massage was inspired by the writings of Julian of Norwich. In particular, her most famous lines (which also inspired the poet T.S. Eliot) ‘All shall be well, All shall be well, And all manner of things being well.’

Kate wrote and designed this WellBeing Story Massage during Lockdown in the UK and it has been a firm favourite with parents ever since. It is taught to parents in week 1 to build their confidence and it never fails to make everyone smile.

Our book – The Seal Who Was Scared of the Sea – is a beautifully illustrated story, written by Louis Pigeon-Owen and illustrated by Kirsten Hamilton, which shows the tender loving connection between a mother seal and her pup. The mother seal is a reassuring presence as the pup makes the transition from land to sea.

It was inspired by the successful protection and conservation of grey seals on the Norfolk coastline, most notably at Winterton and Horsey. Interestingly, the link between oxytocin and maternal behaviour not only has important consequences for pup survival in grey seals, but also helps us understand how various species, including humans, bond.

Parents receive their own copy of the book in week 5 and learn how to massage their baby to these touching words and wonderful illustrations.