Learning is sometimes a difficult task and whether we realize it or not, we have been trained to learn. From the beginning, we have learned from being read to, from watching television, or from memorizing. We have also learned from examples and experience. An ancient Chinese proverb says: “Tell me and I will forget; show me and maybe I will remember; involve me and I will understand.” It is with that sentiment that I will discuss the benefits of multisensory learning.

How many times have you sat in a classroom where you were bored? Think back to your many years in elementary, middle, or high school. What was the learning format? Did the teacher stand in front of the class and lecture while you were trying to absorb the material? Was taking notes as interactive as possible? As society becomes more technological and children are bombarded with more information from more sources, much of which is requested, I argue that teaching strategies will need to evolve.

Multisensory learning offers the student the opportunity to memorize something by experiencing it. Reading about baking a cake is not as productive as baking one. The child learns about the ingredients and how they feel and smell. They learn mixing, how long it takes to bake a cake, and what it smells like when it’s done. They also learn how wonderful it tastes. Children who learn by touch or children with disabilities have the opportunity to learn the same material as a child who would learn easily just by reading. Gifted children would not be bored as they will also participate in the learning process. Multisensory learning is a gateway to improving the learning process for all children.

Each lesson should include a practical experience. If the lesson is about fractions, let the children play with sliced ​​plastic cakes to understand. If the lesson is about writing, play games that allow students to identify better writing techniques. Use the computer and online resources to take learning to a new level where you can see, hear, and interact. Consider the potential of touchscreens in education, where a child can easily slide objects back and forth on the screen and learn in the process.

Today’s students are Internet savvy and familiar with on-demand learning. Many of today’s classrooms are still trying to push information when they should be engaging the student, essentially drawing the student into a lesson. The benefits of multisensory learning are better understanding, better retention, and a more inclusive learning environment that takes into account variations in student abilities. To be successful, teachers must engage their students by creating learning environments that tap into all of the student’s senses.