We were given the gift to see the world. To touch nature. To smell the flowers. To taste the sweetness of a berry. To hear the birds chirping.

What’s even better is when we can see a sunset, while our toes touch the sand, we smell the salty ocean, and hear the waves crashing. (Can you tell I’m ready for spring break?!) This multi-sensory experience far surpasses a simple look at the ocean.

A multi-sensory approach to learning can do wonders for your child’s brain.

“If we extend our senses, then, consequently, we will extend our knowledge. It's really very basic”. - Neil Harbisson

Why It Matters

1) Builds neural connections

The different areas of your child’s brain that are responsible for seeing, smelling, touching, hearing, and tasting are activated when that particular sense is used. If they are using many senses simultaneously, there will be neuron connections that occur amongst those areas.

“Your brain needs to see it, say it, hear it, touch it, taste it, so it can learn it.”

The human brain was designed to use many senses at once to explore the world around us. A baby is proof of this. They need many inputs in order to learn basic skills. They touch everything. They put things in their mouths. They explore sounds at an early age. They have a keen sense of hearing and smelling. As soon as they can, they move.

So, why not use what’s natural to our brain?

2) Builds stronger retention and experiences

Because the neurons are building connections, there will be a stronger retention in that area that’s being learned.

When a child is learning about an animal, they will remember more about that learning experience if they touch the animal while also observing by watching, smelling, and hearing that animal. That particular learning becomes an experience that they will remember. The next time that animal is mentioned or they see that animal in a book, they will remember their experience with that animal and all that they learned about it through their senses.

Our senses are a gift that help us remember our childhood. I am thankful that my senses have retained memories for me to relive time with my dad. I can still remember how his hugs felt… I can smell his aftershave… I can feel his scratchy face… I can see his smile… I can still hear his voice.

3) Engages their interest

All brains learn differently, therefore, they need different input. When a child feels successful, they will be more engaged in that learning. We must discover which senses a child needs in order to be successful.

Finding the ‘just right’ sense can be tricky, but when you use more than one sense at a time, you will be sure to ‘hit’ their learning preference.

What child doesn’t like to move? Movement is something a child craves. Movement while seeing a teaching concept and saying the teaching point (and therefore hearing themselves say it) will hold a child’s focus.

How To Do It

1) Observe your child as they interact with a lesson

This observation will provide information about how they learn best. As they are working on a lesson, write down the senses you see them using. With each sense that they use, watch their body language and mood. Record any feelings that stand out, notice if they are engaged and interested or if their mind wanders often. If they tend to be distracted throughout the whole activity, try having them practice that skill using a different sense. Keep taking notes to see if you notice a change in mood, feelings, engagement, and focus.

2) Engage as many senses as possible

Using a couple of the senses that you observed working during the activity, try having them use both simultaneously. The typical learning scenario is when we listen to a speaker (sense of hearing) and watch that speaker (sense of sight). The easiest ones to combine with those 2 is the sense of touch. Below you will find ideas on how to make this work for you!

Ideas

1) Memorize facts (Ex: addition facts)

Typical method is to have your child look (see it) at the problem (or skill that needs to be memorized) and your child is required to say the answer.

Try this: Have them look at the problem (see it), say the problem out loud (say it and hear it), as they trace the problem with their finger (feel it). Here are some more suggestions for ‘feeling it’: write the problem with a fun writing tool, make the problem in sand or other material, make the problem with your finger on a textured object as a pillow or carpet or rough surface

2) Learning a concept (Ex: states of matter)

Typical method is a teacher explains the information, as the child listens (hear it).

Try this: Have your child experience the states of matter by making macaroni and cheese with them (feel it and see it). Talk about the concepts and have them explain in their own words (hear it and say it), and then of course taste the different states (cheese for solid, milk for liquid, and feel the steam for gas).

3.) Learning about history or non-fiction topic (Ex: Abraham Lincoln’s life)

Typical method is a teacher reads a book about the information, as the child listens (hear it).

Try this: Have your child read along and discuss the facts that they are learning along the way in their own words (say it and hear it). As you find an important fact or a fact that interests them, have them draw a picture to represent it (touch it and see it).

Our senses were given to us for a reason. They allow us to experience life in many different ways. Just like our brains are all different, we have also have differences in the way we learn best. It is important to discover how we learn best and teach kids to do the same. Once we know ourselves as learners, use as many senses at one time to explore learning.

The next time your child has a homework assignment or needs help in a learning area, try combining their senses for an optimal learning experience. And then watch them enjoy learning!