For years, teachers have known that students learn through different modalities. Some are more visual, seeking out pictures and images, and others rely on hearing information. Predominantly, then, these two forms were often used in the classroom: letting kids see and hear the lesson.
But, there are other learning styles, and by blending more of them, it’s possible to reach a larger audience and possibly improve information retention. Multisensory education is the idea that kids practice things with multiple senses. The following are three reasons to give this a try.
1. Turn On the Brain Faster
While there are students who absorb information very quickly, there is a larger group so kids that struggle to retain and recall what teachers have just said. It’s not that the teacher didn’t teach, but the students’ brains just weren’t ready to receive it yet. When the activity combines movement, listening and visual cues, the brain synapsis may turn on faster, assisting in “getting” what is taught.
2. Gain Attention
Students may get distracted and tune out. Some struggle to focus. For instance, students with learning disabilities may have poor concentration skills. Getting them moving while they work forces kids to pay attention to what is going on. Look for lessons that don’t require just sitting at a desk.
For instance, autism teaching tools that embed music, working and pictures could keep kids engaged for an entire class period. Boost learning while minimizing distractions.
3. Don’t Leave Anyone Out
When you remain focused on one modality or even two, you could be leaving out learners in your class. This decision means that kids are sitting there bored and unproductive. Likely, the teacher could have discipline problems from some of these students as they don’t know how to handle the excess time. Multisensory education appeals to more modalities; thus, it is more inclusive, reaching out and engaging more kids.
Transform the classroom into a space that appeals to the majority of kids. Engage multiple senses during lessons to maintain focus and improve retention.