Massage in Schools

What is Massage in Schools Programme?

The Massage in Schools Programme (MISP) is an international innovative approach to improving children’s quality of life in school. It intends to give children the chance to experience nurturing touch at school in a safe way. It is a tool for teachers to help bring the school curriculum alive for children.

The Massage in Schools Programme:

  • Increases body awareness, control, co-ordination and muscle tone
  • Reduces bullying, fighting and aggressive behaviour
  • Improves confidence, self esteem and empowers children
  • Gives children the opportunity to say yes or no to touch
  • Improves relationships between children and their peers, siblings and parents
  • Facilitates easier class management
  • Aids academic learning through innovative use of touch
  • Encourages respect for other children, teachers and the community
  • Brings creativity and fun into the classroom
  • Relaxes teachers and children

Class Structure:

  • A trained instructor will come to your school and instruct the children in the strokes of massage, with the aid of a second instructor, or the teacher.
  • The children practice the strokes, all of which have names the children know (e.g. climbing the rope, kneading bread etc).
  • Maths, Language, Geography, Religion, and Storytelling can all be carried out with the aid of massage, to make learning fun and to use the sensory skill of touch.
  • The MISP is intended to be carried out once or twice a day, usually first thing in the morning and after lunch to help prepare children for learning.
  • Parents and teachers are invited to a demonstration of the MISP. Studies and research about MISP are available on request.

Instruction

Classes generally meet once a week for 4 weeks. Each class takes about 15 minutes. The massage is repeated by the teacher / leader every time the group meets. This takes approximately 10 minutes each session.

  • All the Massage in Schools Programme is carried out while fully dressed.
  • Children massage each other, with permission, under teacher’s supervision.
  • At no time do the teacher or instructors touch the children
  • The areas massaged are the back, head and arms
  • All children aged 4 – 12 years can be taught the massage, with parental permission.
  • Children’s wishes are always respected. The child always has the right to refuse a massage for any reason.

A DVD showing how MISP has worked in other schools is available to view.