We’re Now Flying to Hořovice

In January 2025, we began a new collaboration with Hořovice Hospital, where our specialist Růženka now visits regularly. She works with seriously ill children in the Department of Long-Term Intensive Care, using sensory stimulation, storytelling, and music.

Hořovice Hospital has thus expanded its team of play specialists—and we’re happy to be flying alongside them.

Růženka uses a method called sensory reading when working with children on mechanical support. But what is sensory reading?

Reading books is a natural way for many people to escape into another world. But what if a child cannot turn the pages, follow illustrations, or fully focus on the words? Sensory reading is a method that brings stories to life through various sensory stimuli. It makes reading accessible even to seriously ill children, those with limited mobility, or children on mechanical support—who might otherwise be unable to fully engage with a story.

Why is sensory reading important for seriously ill children?

Children with severe medical conditions, neurological disorders, or those on mechanical support often face limitations that prevent them from reading or listening to stories in the same way healthy children do. Sensory reading offers them a different way to experience a story—through touch, sound, scent, or gentle movement.

Key benefits of sensory reading for seriously ill children:

• An experience without the need for active movement – the child doesn’t need to read or turn pages; the story reaches them through other means.

• Sensory stimulation and cognitive support – gentle stimuli help maintain attention and encourage brain activity.

• Emotional connection and calming effect – soothing touches, familiar scents, or relaxing sounds can reduce stress and anxiety.

• Access to storytelling for children with limited communication – children who cannot express themselves verbally may still respond in other ways—such as through eye movement or changes in facial expression.

What does sensory reading look like in practice?

During sensory reading, various objects and stimuli are used to help the child experience the story:

• Touch: If the story mentions warm sunshine, we might gently place a warm hand on the child’s forehead to mimic the sensation. If a character walks on sand, we can let the child feel fine sand between their fingers.

• Sounds: The sound of ocean waves can be played from a recording, while a breeze can be simulated with a gentle puff of air.

• Scents: When the story takes place in a forest, we might bring a sprig of pine or lavender close to the child’s nose.

• Gentle movements: If a character is swinging on a swing, we can gently rock the child on a pillow or in someone’s arms.

When words are not enough, the senses speak

For children who cannot perceive the world in conventional ways, it’s crucial to find alternative paths to bring them joy, stories, and adventure. Sensory reading is not just about reading – it's about connection, empathy, and sharing meaningful moments that can bring joy even to the most vulnerable.

If you care for a seriously ill child or work with children on mechanical support, consider sensory reading as a way to communicate and offer them a piece of the world they might otherwise have difficulty reaching. Every touch, sound, and scent can become a doorway into the world of imagination – and sometimes even a vital path to a sense of safety and peace.