Let’s Spring clean our homeschool by polishing our teaching approach! Incorporating multi-sensory instruction is one way to do that. Read on for more information about how to add it in.
Spring has sprung! The weather has broken! Our homeschool is filled with chatter because somehow the sunshine has placed all the kiddos on the same playing field. Though the weeks ahead will be filled with serendipitous showers and sunlight there are still a few flowers that haven’t quite “blossomed” in my brood. How about yours?
Late blooming is common in a homeschool setting (and it’s not isolated in homeschooled children only, it’s quite common in the public/private schools as well, so don’t fret!). It can be attributed to different factors out of our control. Infusing each lesson with auditory, visual and kinesthetic elements can stimulate those stems and optimize learning.
Multi-sensory instruction is the use of multiple sensory pathways to the brain. It’s an action-oriented interaction that enhances memory storage and retrieval.
Here are a few tips to spring into Multi-sensory Instruction:
- Facilitate Discussion
- Show Pictures
- Tell Stories
- Move Around/Dance
- Use Objects/Manipulatives
- Offer Flexible Seating (don’t stay at the kitchen table!)
- Promote Collaborative Decision Making
- Build Tolerant Attitudes
Multisensory Instruction for Dyslexic Students
One in five children have inherited dyslexia. It should be noted that the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (United States of America) and the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), find that multi-sensory instruction is an effective approach to teaching children with dyslexia.
Our dyslexic homeschooled kids have average to above average IQ’s so we can’t always figure out why they’re struggling. Depending on the severity, they may not spell words backward. As a final point, this neurological difference can’t be treated with medicine although 30% to 60% of dyslexics are also diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). All of our kids are capable of learning and growing.
Growth Creates Blossoms
Homeschool moms (and dads/tutors) can meet all the learning needs of all their students by making their lessons grow and come alive. Multi-sensory Instruction reaches kids with or without learning difficulties, especially those with dyslexia, and it allows each student to blossom using their brain pathways.
