Multisensory Learning - Maximising Learning Potential

Have you heard the term, 'multisensory learning'?

It's not just a buzz word, it contains an essential underpinning of how kids learn to read and spell. 

Let's dive into what it means and how it relates to teaching and learning because it is an essential ingredient to maximising the learning experience for our kids. 

In the past, "multiple intelligences" was all the rage among teachers. It involved classifying students into categories based on their learning preferences. For instance, some were labelled visual learners, while others were considered auditory learners or learned best through music.

The thing is, there haven't been any published studies providing evidence of the validity of multiple intelligences. On the other hand, research has shown that the brain learns more effectively when multiple senses are engaged simultaneously during the learning process.

Research conducted by Shaywitz in 2003 focused on multi-sensory learning neurons, which are nerve cells that transmit messages to the brain. The research helped us understand that neurons are activated only when an experience stimulates more than one sensory modality.

Amazing, right?

So, how does multisensory learning look when we teach a child a new skill?

There are three primary components of multisensory learning:

Visual: This involves seeing letters and words, using charts for support, and practicing writing letters and letter patterns.

Auditory: It includes listening to the sounds in words, repeating the sounds, and engaging in phonetic-based activities throughout the learning process.

Kinaesthetic: This component focuses on hands-on activities that involve fine and gross motor skills. For example, tracing letters in sand, using textured surfaces for writing, or incorporating finger-spelling techniques.

These senses combined are often referred to as 'VAK'; Visual, Auditory, Kinaesthetic. 

When applied to reading and spelling instruction, VAK techniques have shown remarkable results. Dyslexic students, who previously struggled with decoding and recognising words, can now experience a significant improvement in their abilities and retain information more effectively. By appealing to different senses, multisensory learning creates new neural pathways, facilitating a deeper understanding of language concepts.

For dyslexic students, multisensory learning becomes a beacon of hope, illuminating their path to success in reading and spelling. This evidence-based instructional approach combines visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic elements to help dyslexic learners process language more efficiently and confidently.

As we continue to advance in educational practices, prioritising multisensory learning for dyslexic students is a crucial step toward creating an inclusive and empowering learning environment for all.

The bottom line, remember your VAK every time you teach your child a new skill and watch your kiddo fly!