Multisensory Learning: How to Implement in Handwriting Education

You may have heard of multisensory learning as many literacy curriculums are integrating this practice into their programming. Which is GREAT! But you may not be aware of what multisensory really means and WHY it is important, particularly with handwriting instruction. So let’s dive in!

What is Multisensory Learning?

Multisensory education involves all our senses: sound, touch, taste, smell, sight, and proprioception/vestibular (movement). During learning, if we can incorporate each of the senses within the learning process, our brain retains that information better as it builds and wires neural connections. It is also much more engaging for the learner to participate in a learning atmosphere that has depth as well as plays to their individual learning strengths. Because we know that each of us is a different learner, for example, some of us learn better through auditory (sounds) while others need to feel or do. The beauty of multisensory learning is that it incorporates all the senses both separately and together to achieve deeper, faster learning. Research shows that children learn much faster through play, and multisensory learning essentially feels like play!

Easy to Implement Multisensory Strategies

With handwriting, this means we want to engage the senses from the very beginning as we learn how to make simple lines and circles, all the way to letter, word, sentence formation and beyond. For example, when learning the most basic of lines and shapes, we can use sensory tools to engage learners such as finger-painting (touch and movement) with multi-colored paint (visual) or even pudding (hello taste and smell!). As our learner grows and develops, we can sing songs about how to form each letter (auditory), and use objects such as sticks or playdough to build letters (touch, movement, visual). Even as our children age, we can incorporate sensory experiences simply by writing with chalk (visual, tactile, auditory) or scented markers (visual, smell). The options truly are endless as to how we can incorporate multisensory learning into our handwriting and literacy education.

Often parents tell us that their child is “bored” with writing or doesn’t find writing engaging or fun. Well, I guarantee if you swap out the pencil and paper with some of the strategies above, you will have
an engaged learner as well as better handwriting! 

Grab your full list of multisensory handwriting supports to keep handwriting FUN and Engaging!

Is your child struggling with writing? While multisensory strategies can help, your child might need more explicit and systematic instruction and remediation. Reach out to Kelli to book a free consultation to get your questions answered!

Kelli Fetter is a Certified Handwriting Specialist and the founder of Handwriting Solutions, LLC provides handwriting tutoring virtually and in-person. She practiced as an occupational therapist in pediatric outpatient, early intervention, preschools, and private schools. She also served as an adjunct professor teaching pediatrics and kinesiology. Kelli has extensive training in handwriting and dysgraphia. Kelli’s passion is driven by her own daughter’s dyslexia & dysgraphia journey.

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