Multi-sensory Instruction, What? Why? How?

Multisensory instruction is mentioned a lot in teaching methodology especially in relation to teaching individuals with language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia. But what is it? Why is it important? And how do we do it?

I am not an educational psychologist but have learned a great deal about the brain and learning through my career. There is vast research into the benefits of using varied sensory input to support learning. There are only 5 ways to get input to the brain, to learn, through our five senses. Some people find reading information more effective than listening to it but doing both allows 2 channels of input to your brain making it more likely the brain will process and store the information.

For teaching reading and writing, I prefer the term 'Simultaneous Multisensory Strategies'. The key difference here is that we are asking students to look at a letter, say and therefore hear the letter, whilst also writing/tracing/tapping at the same time. With three modes of sensory input the brain fires in different areas and research shows that this has a greater impact upon memory and recall.

There are many ways to include simultaneous multisensory instruction in lessons and they have the added benefit of helping to engage students, keep the learning interactive and fun.

• Skywriting - When I first introduce a grapheme, I have the student look it while writing it in the sky and saying the letter(s), keyword, sound

• Writing - I use dry erase board with different spaced guidelines and my students writes the letter(s) while saying the letter name(s) - keyword - sound

• Other writing or tracing ideas - magnetic board, sand, shaving foam, felt letters