Why Multi-Sensory Learning Matters for Children with Specific Literacy Difficulties

When a child faces challenges with reading, writing, or spelling, it can sometimes feel like traditional teaching methods just aren’t enough. This is where multi-sensory learning comes in — and why it’s such a powerful approach for children with Specific Literacy Difficulties, including dyslexia.

As someone with Accredited Teacher Status from the British Dyslexia Association, I use multi-sensory methods every day because they really work. Here’s why:

What is Multi-Sensory Learning?

Multi-sensory learning simply means using more than one sense at a time to help children absorb and remember information. It involves seeing (visual), hearing (auditory), touching and moving (kinaesthetic), and sometimes even speaking (verbal).

Instead of just reading words on a page, children might say the word aloud, trace it in sand, build it with magnetic letters, and hear it in a song — all at the same time!

Why is Multi-Sensory Learning So Important?

• It Builds Stronger Connections in the Brain
  When children use multiple senses, they create more pathways in the brain. This strengthens memory and understanding, making it easier to recall information later.

• It Makes Learning More Accessible
  Children with literacy difficulties often struggle to learn through sight alone. Adding touch, movement, and sound gives them more chances to succeed.

• It Boosts Confidence
  Multi-sensory activities are often hands-on and engaging. They help children feel successful and enjoy learning — which can make a huge difference to their self-esteem.

• It Encourages Active Participation
  Instead of passively looking at a page, children are actively doing, making, saying, and feeling. This active involvement helps them stay focused and interested.

Simple Multi-Sensory Activities You Can Try at Home

• Trace and Say: Trace letters or words in sand, salt trays, or shaving foam while saying the sounds aloud.

• Air Writing: Write big letters in the air with a finger while shouting out the sounds.

• Build Words: Use letter tiles, magnetic letters, or scrabble tiles to physically build words.

• Rhythm and Rhyme: Clap out syllables in tricky words or make up silly songs for spelling rules.

• Movement Games: Jump to the correct letter on a letter mat or hop out the sounds of a word.

Multi-sensory teaching isn't just a "nice extra" — for many children with Specific Literacy Difficulties, it's essential. It gives them the tools they need to unlock their learning and reach their full potential.