What is Multisensory Learning?
Multisensory learning is an instructional approach that involves engaging multiple senses (such as visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile) in the learning process. By using a variety of sensory inputs, multisensory learning can enhance memory retention, improve learning outcomes, and make learning more engaging and enjoyable for students.
In a multisensory learning environment, children are encouraged to engage with material through a range of sensory experiences. For example, a lesson on phonics might involve using visual aids, such as flashcards or diagrams, to represent different sounds and letter combinations. It might also involve listening to spoken words, repeating sounds out loud, or using manipulatives, such as letter blocks or textured surfaces, to help students connect sounds and symbols.
Multisensory learning is particularly beneficial for children who may struggle with traditional teaching methods or who have learning disabilities, such as dyslexia. By providing multiple ways for students to engage with material, multisensory learning can help to improve memory, increase motivation, and support student success.
Overall, multisensory learning is a powerful teaching technique that can help students to learn more effectively and enjoyably by engaging multiple senses in the learning process.
How to teach Phonics using Multisensory Learning Strategies
Here are some strategies for teaching phonics using a multisensory approach:
Use visual aids: Incorporate visual aids, such as letter cards or posters, to help children connect sounds and symbols. For example, you might use a poster that shows different ways to spell the “long a” sound, such as “ai,” “ay,” and “a-e,” along with pictures that represent words with each spelling.
Engage the auditory sense: Use songs, chants, and rhymes to help children remember phonics rules and sounds. You might also have students listen to and repeat sounds out loud, or use a sound wall to help them recognise and practise different phonemes.
Incorporate kinesthetic activities: Use activities that involve movement and touch to help children connect sounds and symbols. For example, you might have students use letter tiles or blocks to build words, or have them trace letters on textured surfaces to help them remember the shapes of letters.
Use manipulatives: Manipulatives such as magnetic letters, sandpaper letters, or foam letters can help children to learn and practice phonics skills by using their sense of touch. Children can feel the shape of the letters, match them to other letters, or spell words with them.
Use games and activities: Games and activities such as word sorts, bingo, or memory games can be fun and engaging ways to help children practise phonics skills. You might also use digital tools, such as apps or online games, to provide additional multisensory practice.
By incorporating a range of sensory experiences into phonics instruction, children can engage with material in ways that are meaningful and memorable. Multisensory learning can help to improve memory retention, support success, and make learning more enjoyable for all children.
Multisensory Resources
Reading Readiness Activity Set
The Learning Resources Reading Readiness Activity Set is a comprehensive multisensory learning set designed to support classroom literacy learning.
The set includes a range of materials and activities designed to develop children’s reading readiness, including letter and word recognition, phonics, and comprehension.
The multisensory approach to learning used in this set allows children to engage with learning in a variety of ways, including through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities. This can be particularly beneficial for children who learn best through hands-on, experiential learning.
Textured Touch and Trace: Uppercase: The Best Multisensory Alphabet
The Textured Touch and Trace: Uppercase set is a set of alphabet cards designed to help children learn letter recognition and correct letter formation in a multisensory way. The cards feature textured surfaces that allow children to feel the shape and direction of each letter as they trace it with their fingers. This tactile experience helps to reinforce muscle memory and improves handwriting skills.
Chicco -Movement Letters
Chicco – Movement Letters is an educational toy designed to help children learn letters and develop their fine motor skills. Children can practise letter recognition, letter formation, and hand-eye coordination by tracing the letters with their fingers or using the included stylus to follow the movement of the letters.
Multisensory Sight Word Cards
The Eyewords Multisensory Sight Word Cards is a product designed to help children learn and recognise high-frequency sight words through a multisensory approach.
Each card features the sight word in large, bold print for visual learners, as well as a corresponding image to help children associate the word with its meaning. Additionally, each card includes a tactile element, such as a textured surface or raised letters, to engage kinesthetic learners.
The Fidget Game: Learn to Read in Weeks
The Fidget Game Learn to Read is a valuable tool for parents and educators looking to help children build a strong foundation in reading and language skills. The game is designed to be engaging and enjoyable, which can help children stay motivated and focused during the learning process.
The game comes with a set of popping mats and dice that allow children to engage in a fun and interactive learning experience. The mats feature a variety of sight words, and players roll the dice and then “pop” the corresponding word on the mat. This tactile approach to learning can help children who struggle with traditional reading techniques.
CVC Tri-Blocks Tub: Word Building Set
The Junior Learning CVC Tri-Blocks Tub Word Building Set is an educational toy designed to help children learn to read and spell three-letter CVC words.
The set includes 90 Tri-Blocks, which are colour-coded blocks that can be snapped together to form words. Each Tri-Block features a consonant, vowel, and consonant, allowing children to create simple CVC words.
Multisensory Literacy Set
The Learning Resources Literacy Manipulatives at Home Kit is a set of multisensory resources designed to support home learning and improve children’s literacy skills.
Some of the resources included in the kit are letter and sound cards, a phonics flipbook, a word-building mat, and a set of sight word foam cubes. These manipulatives allow children to practice letter recognition, phonics, and word formation through hands-on, interactive activities.
The kit also includes a guidebook with a range of suggested activities and games that parents and educators can use to support children’s learning.
Plugo STEM Pack: Count, Letters & Link
The Plugo STEM Pack by PlayShifu is a 3-in-1 educational toy includes three different game kits: Count, Letters, and Link. Each game kit focuses on a different subject area and uses a combination of magnetic blocks, puzzles, and a companion app to create an engaging and immersive learning experience.
The Letters game kit focuses on language skills, teaching children spelling, vocabulary, and grammar through word building and puzzle games.solving skills and logical thinking through coding puzzles and challenges.
The Plugo STEM Pack is suitable for children between the ages of 4 and 10 and works with a range of devices, including iPads, iPhones, Samsung tablets, and Kindle Fire.
CVC Word Game: Mini Pop Board Fidget Sensory Toy
The Aizweb CVC Word Game is an educational toy designed to help children learn to read and spell three-letter CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words.
The game includes a mini pop board and a set of CVC word flashcards. Children can use the pop board to practise phonics skills and build words by sounding out each letter and popping it into place. The flashcards provide a visual reference for each word and help children learn to recognize common CVC words.
Alphablocks Phonics Fun Toy-Learn Letter Recognition and Sounds, Spelling and Vocabulary
The Alphablocks AN20 Phonics Fun Toy is part of a range of educational toys and resources designed to support children’s learning and development. The toy is a valuable tool for parents and educators looking to support children’s literacy skills and promote interactive and engaging play. It is a great way to introduce young children to the world of reading and language, and can help them develop important cognitive and language skills.
Flashcards and Foam Letter Set
The Curious Columbus Flashcards and Foam Letter Set is an educational toy designed to help young children learn the alphabet, phonics, spelling, and reading skills. ‘
The flashcards are designed with a large and clear font that is easy for young children to read and recognise. Each card features an illustration that corresponds to the letter and a word that begins with that letter, making it a useful tool for building vocabulary and phonics skills.
It’s a great educational tool for parents and educators who are looking to help young children learn the fundamentals of reading, writing, and language.
Interactive Talking Alphabet Wall Chart
The i-Poster My Learning Board is an interactive talking wall chart designed to help young children learn the alphabet, numbers, and music. The poster features colourful and engaging illustrations of letters, numbers, animals, and musical instruments, and includes a touch-activated pen that children can use to interact with the poster.
The poster includes four different modes of play: learning, questions, music, and find it. The poster is also designed to be educational and engaging, helping children develop important cognitive and language skills while having fun and exploring the world around them.
Matching Letter Game
The Coogam Matching Letter Game is an educational toy designed to help children aged 3 to 5 years learn the alphabet, spelling, reading, and basic math concepts. The set includes 28 double-sided alphabet cards, 52 letter pieces, and 20 number cards with corresponding math symbols and words.
The Coogam Matching Letter Game is a great educational tool for parents and educators who are looking to help young children develop important cognitive and language skills. The set is designed to be fun and interactive, encouraging children to experiment with language and develop their creativity.
Magnetic Letters Board
The Coogam Magnetic Letters Practicing Board is an educational toy designed to help children learn the alphabet, practise writing upper and lowercase letters, and develop fine motor skills. The set includes a magnetic tracing board, 26 uppercase and 26 lowercase magnetic letters, and a stylus for tracing.
The Coogam Magnetic Letters Practicing Board is a great educational tool for parents and educators who are looking to help young children develop important cognitive and language skills.
Early Educational Homeschool Preschool Reading, Interactive Talking Pen
The Early Educational Homeschool Preschool Reading Interactive Talking Pen is a multifunctional learning tool designed to help young children develop important cognitive and language skills. The pen comes with a range of features, including an alphabet and phonics module, a recorder, a piano, sleep music, stories, and games.
The alphabet and phonics module helps children learn the letters of the alphabet and develop basic phonetic awareness, while the recorder allows children to record and play back their own voices, encouraging self-expression and creativity.
The Early Educational Homeschool Preschool Reading Interactive Talking Pen is a valuable learning tool for parents and educators who are looking to help young children develop important cognitive and language skills.
