Multisensory Phonics
Overview
We take in information through all our senses. Multisensory phonics instruction incorporates activities that involve listening, seeing, doing, and practicing the letter-sound correspondence, supporting Phonological Awareness, a core aspect of reading. Incorporating multisensory approaches in phonics instruction can support literacy learning by allowing learners to take advantage of multiple means of processing the information and better encoding this information into Memory. This practice promotes inclusivity for learners who may be struggling with elements of reading, including learners with dyslexia. Some examples of these activities are sky-writing, using playdough to shape letters, and speaking letters and words out loud, working individually or within groups. Learners can also spell words with manipulatives or count syllables using shaker instruments. Many multisensory phonics approaches also include interactive games where learners match letters to sounds, clap syllables, and work in groups to use manipulatives to make words.
Example: Use This Strategy in the Classroom
Watch as this early elementary teacher plays the SLAP game digitally with students as they learn letters and blend sounds. Learners work to "slap" the correct letter to match the sound they hear. Movement based games can help physically immerse students in learning while increasing engagement.
Design It into Your Product
Videos are chosen as examples of strategies in action. These choices are not endorsements of the products or evidence of use of research to develop the feature.
Watch as this educator uses Google Docs to facilitate multisensory phonics instruction. This platform provides multiple ways to create multisensory phonics activities, including flashcards and interactive games. Having user-friendly digital platforms is important for young children who may lack the necessary skills to play online.
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
More Multisensory Supports Strategies
Audiobooks allow students to hear fluent reading and to experience books above their reading skills.
Communication boards are displays of graphics (e.g., pictures, symbols, illustrations) and/or words where learners can gesture or point to the displays to extend their expressive language potential.
Dictation, also referred to as speech-to-text, an assistive communication technology that translates voice dictation to digital text, provides students with transcription difficulties the opportunity to participate in the writing process by allowing them to use their voice to generate and record ideas.
Dictionaries and thesauruses can serve as resources for students to expand their Vocabulary knowledge.
Adding gestures and motions to complement learning activates more cognitive processes for recall and understanding.
Full sentence manipulatives allow students to practice producing more complex Syntax and writing.
Providing physical representations of parts of a sentence activates learners' mental processes.
Short breaks that include mindfulness quiet the brain to allow for improved thinking and emotional regulation.
Brain breaks that include movement allow learners to refresh their thinking and focus on learning new information.
Connecting information to music and dance can support Short-term and Long-term Memory by engaging auditory processes, Emotions, and physical activity.
Research shows physical activity improves focus and creativity.
Incorporating multiple senses with strategies like chewing gum, using a vibrating pen, and sitting on a ball chair supports focus and Attention.
Using earplugs or headphones can increase focus and comfort.
Providing tools so learners can choose to listen to a text supports individual strengths and needs.
Tossing a ball, beanbag, or other small object activates physical focus in support of mental focus.
Visual supports, like text magnification, colored overlays, and guided reading strips, help students focus and properly track as they read.
Web-based dictionaries and thesauruses can serve as visual and audio resources for students to expand their Vocabulary knowledge.
Research has shown that students write longer pieces with stronger quality when they use word processing software.
Word sorts are multisensory activities that help learners identify patterns and group words based on different categories.
