As a parent, you want the best for your child, especially when it comes to their education. However, in today’s fast-paced world of digital distractions, it can be challenging to know how to support their learning effectively.
Today, we will discuss a powerful yet often overlooked concept: multisensory learning. By understanding how your child’s brain processes information through different senses, you can unlock their learning potential in ways you might not have imagined.
Our senses evolved to work together in the real world, and children’s brains are especially adept at processing multiple types of stimuli at once. From the ancient environments of our ancestors to today’s complex educational settings, our brains thrive on multisensory experiences.
If you’re curious about how to make learning more engaging and effective for your child, keep reading. We’ll explain the science behind multisensory learning, offer practical tips, and share real-life examples of how this approach can enhance your child’s ability to learn and retain information.
The Science Behind Multisensory Learning
How Our Brains Evolved to Handle Multiple Stimuli
Have you ever wondered why your child can seem to do so many things at once? Whether it’s listening to music while working on their homework or engaging in a complex conversation while drawing, this multitasking ability isn’t a flaw—it’s a strength that’s been hardwired into their brain over millennia.
Think back to our ancestors, the early humans who roamed the plains and forests. They didn’t live in quiet, distraction-free environments. Instead, they had to process multiple sensory inputs simultaneously: the rustle of leaves signaling an animal nearby, the scent of a nearby fire, or the sight of a distant storm. Their survival depended on integrating these senses quickly and effectively. Fast forward to today, and our brains still function in much the same way, thriving on complex sensory information.
Photo by JJ Jordan on Unsplash
When your child engages in a multisensory environment—one that stimulates sight, sound, touch, and even smell—they are activating different parts of their brain, which enhances learning. A study involving participants who watched a video of a person speaking (without sound) found that their brain’s auditory cortex was still activated, as though they were hearing the person speak. This shows that our senses don’t operate in isolation; they support and amplify one another.
Why Single-Sense Learning Isn’t Enough
Many traditional educational settings rely heavily on unisensory learning, where only one sense (typically sight or hearing) is engaged at a time. For example, a child might be asked to read a textbook chapter or listen to a teacher’s lecture without much additional sensory input. While this approach works to some extent, it doesn’t tap into the full potential of how our brains are wired to learn.
Cognitive psychologist Richard Mayer explored this concept through an experiment that divided learners into three groups. One group only listened to information, another only saw it, and the third group both saw and heard the information.
Unsurprisingly, the group that experienced the material through multiple senses retained the information significantly better than the other groups.
This research shows that multisensory learning—learning that engages more than one sense at a time—is far more effective than single-sense learning. But how can you apply this concept to your child’s day-to-day learning experiences? Let’s dive into some practical tips.
Practical Tips for Parents: Applying Multisensory Learning at Home
1. Incorporate Visuals with Audio for Better Retention
Children today have a plethora of educational tools at their fingertips, from textbooks to YouTube videos. But not all tools are created equal when it comes to supporting their learning. Research suggests that children retain more information when they engage both their visual and auditory senses simultaneously.
Tip: When your child is learning a new subject—whether it’s history or science—consider pairing audio with visuals. For instance, if they’re learning about space, watch a documentary together that combines narration with detailed images or animations. This multisensory approach will help them grasp and retain complex information more effectively than if they were just reading a textbook.
Photo by NASA on Unsplash
Example: A parent noticed her child struggling to understand the concept of fractions. Instead of using only a textbook, she found a YouTube video that used animated visuals to explain fractions while a narrator spoke through each example. The combination of visual and auditory input helped her child finally grasp the concept in a way that reading alone hadn’t.
2. Make Learning Hands-On with Tactile Activities
Many children, especially younger ones, are kinesthetic learners who retain information better when they can physically engage with the material. Tactile learning activities—where children can use their hands and bodies—help strengthen neural connections and deepen their understanding.
Tip: Incorporate hands-on activity tool such as Spielgaben that align with what your child is learning. If they’re studying geometry, let them build shapes using blocks or modeling clay. If they’re learning about plant biology, plant a small garden together where they can observe growth firsthand.
Example: A mom whose child struggled with spelling decided to use letter tiles during their study sessions. Each time her child spelled out a word, they physically moved the tiles to form the word. The tactile experience helped reinforce the correct spelling in a way that writing the words repeatedly didn’t.
3. Mix Music with Study Sessions
Although it may seem like music could be a distraction during study time, it can actually enhance your child’s focus and memory—especially if they’re used to working in environments with background noise. Music can also trigger emotional responses, which are key in memory retention.
Tip: Experiment with different types of background music to see what works best for your child. Classical music or instrumental soundtracks often promote focus, but some children may prefer other genres. Try making it a fun experiment—create playlists for different subjects or study times to see what helps them concentrate the most.
Example: One family discovered that their child, who had a hard time focusing on math homework, worked more effectively when they played soft piano music in the background. Over time, the child associated the calming music with math, and their performance improved.
Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash
4. Engage Their Sense of Smell or Taste During Learning
Smell and taste are two of our most powerful senses, especially when it comes to memory. While these senses are often overlooked in traditional educational settings, incorporating them into learning can have a surprising impact.
Tip: If your child is studying geography, you might consider cooking a dish from the country they’re learning about. The smells and tastes associated with the meal can create a more immersive experience, helping them remember the details of the culture and location.
Example: A family whose child was learning about ancient Egypt decided to bake traditional Egyptian bread as part of their lesson. The smell of the bread baking, combined with reading about Egyptian culture, created a multisensory experience that made the history lesson more memorable.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Creating Multisensory Learning Spaces at Home
You don’t need a fully equipped classroom to bring multisensory learning into your home. Small, simple adjustments can make a big difference in your child’s learning experience.
Designate a multisensory learning corner
Create a space where your child can engage multiple senses at once. Equip the area with art supplies, tactile learning materials like blocks or clay, a speaker for playing music, and access to educational videos. This space can become a go-to for homework time or special learning activities.
Rotate learning tools and environments
Don’t be afraid to mix things up. Sometimes, moving learning outside to a park or garden can stimulate your child’s senses in new ways. Nature provides rich sensory input—from the sound of birds chirping to the smell of flowers—that can help your child absorb new information.
Helping Your Child Thrive Through Multisensory Learning
By incorporating multisensory learning into your child’s education, you’re giving them more than just new information—you’re helping them build stronger neural connections and improving their ability to retain and apply what they’ve learned. Whether it’s through the combination of visuals and sound, hands-on activities, or even the use of music and smell, multisensory learning can make a significant difference in your child’s educational journey.
As a parent, your role is crucial in fostering these rich, engaging learning experiences. By making small, simple changes to how your child learns at home, you can support their cognitive development and set them up for long-term success.
