As modern parents, we’re often faced with the issue of how to best teach our children in the classroom setting when not everyone learns the same way. Sensory learners are those who are motivated by visual stimuli, and may have trouble staying focused without something interesting to look at or listen to. Auditory learners prefer to listen to information presented in a variety of ways, and may have trouble if information is presented in only one way (i.e., reading). Kinesthetic learners learn best by doing, while tactile learners must touch or feel the subject they are learning about.
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Getting Started
When you think about teaching your child, do you only think about how you were taught? Most adults are taught through hearing and reading, which is one of the reasons they may not be able to recognize other learning styles. Studies show that there are five different ways that kids learn best: visual, hands-on, movement, sound and tone. Sensory learning provides children with an opportunity to learn in more than one way by meeting their physical needs. Some teachers start a lesson by connecting the subject they will teach with the senses before they start instruction; others present the material in different ways—colors vs sounds or writing vs drawing. However you provide sensory input for your child, it will help him/her form memories of what was learned.
Auditory Learners
In sensory learning, auditory learners are capable of comprehending and understanding concepts by hearing what they are told. They often feel uncomfortable with things they cannot understand and dislike it when they do not know the entire story or context. Auditory learners also have a tendency to grow bored easily, find difficulty staying focused without background noise or music in the background, and can be seen acting up if there is an excessive amount of silence in their environment. To improve this type of learner’s experience in school, it is important that you create a place where there is minimal disruption such as nearby construction work, people talking loudly around them or technology noises coming from other classrooms. It is also important that you keep speech time quick and provide adequate explanations before questions arise.
Visual Learners
Sensory learning can happen through the use of all five senses. This is because a child’s sensory skills are fully developed at birth, and so provide access to an incredible breadth of information through every day life. This can mean anything from watching videos on YouTube, reading books, doing crafts, or working with textiles like crochet or knitting. Visual learners might also engage in activities like cooking or gardening that allow them time to observe and analyze the world around them.
Tactile Learners
How does a child learn best? They may respond best through writing, reading, art projects, speaking about the topic, or in other creative ways. Children’s learning styles can be determined by using something called the Hands-On Mother Goose Sensory Learning Sequence. The sequence has different sections including Tongue Twisters and Texture Trails that are enjoyed through tasting and touching various textures. Depending on your child’s interest you can use parts of the sensory learning sequence during school or at home.
Kinesthetic Learners
It’s not just about academics – it’s about holistic growth and educating the whole child. Kinesthetic learners find joy in movement and love touching, handling, and exploring materials. Workbooks are not likely something that is going to grab their attention for long, but being outside in nature will capture their imagination.
Don’t worry if this sounds like your child – there are plenty of ways you can engage them with sensory learning. Have a go at some of these ideas and watch them blossom!
Students with Multiple Learning Styles
It’s not just that they learn better this way, it’s also a more enjoyable process. With all the information coming at children today, it’s important that we give them an opportunity to embrace and enjoy what they are learning. If your child needs a sensory-rich environment in order to fully comprehend or retain information, then you should provide it. When they’re finally enjoying what they’re doing and feeling excited about a topic, you know that they’re retaining everything that you’ve taught them.
