Multi-Sensory Activity

Multi-Sensory Activity: Kinesthetic Approach

Using multi-sensory instruction and techniques to impart math concepts to children can significantly boost their learning process. Multi-sensory activities have delivered impressive learning outcomes for children with learning disabilities, especially math. The kinesthetic model is one of the most effective and reliable multi-sensory activities for teaching math to children with learning disabilities (Learning-Abled-Kids, 2022). Essentially, the kinesthetic technique involves using body motion or movement and interaction with the immediate environment during the learning process. The kinesthetic activities may integrate the audio, tactile, and visual techniques in learning math concepts (Logsdon, 2020). Therefore, a discussion on kinesthetic activities that address the concerns of a learner with challenges in mastering math techniques, addition, or subtraction, is crucial for the paper.

Kinesthetic Techniques

Math Games

Preschool math games are suitable for learners with difficulties in mastering math skills. The math games involve stomping, clapping, and jumping rope while incorporating math-based fun activities such as counting numbers and reciting songs related to math concepts (Learning-Abled-Kids, 2022). In consideration of the senses engaged during math games, there is touch, visual, and audio; hence, the learners find the math lessons interesting and exciting. Therefore, the comprehension and application of math concepts enhance, and the learning outcomes in math improve tremendously. For instance, the tic-tac-toe math game that involves using a board to solve math problems while playing has been widely used to boost interest and increase mastery in math (Logsdon, 2020). Indeed, it is appropriate for learners with disabilities in learning. In addition, the math games apply audio-visual and tactile senses.

Tactile Activities

Tactile techniques are a multi-sensory teaching method, especially in math, and they integrate the kinesthetic model. As such, the tactile activities involve the application of the sense of touch that requires body movement in the process of touching learning materials such as cards and dolls (Logsdon, 2020). Using unique small objects referred to as manipulatives in math to represent number values delivers favorable results in teaching math concepts and skills such as counting. For learners with disabilities in learning, the tactile methods based on kinesthetics help solve addition or subtraction problems in math (Learning-Abled-Kids, 2022). Indeed, the materials such as paper, clay, and dolls are fun to work with for the children; hence, their comprehension of numbers- addition and subtraction, is significantly enhanced.

Motor Activities

Motor activities involving movement effectively engage the audio-visual and tactile senses among the learners with disabilities, thus proving appropriate for teaching math techniques such as addition. The motor activities include; basketball, beanbag tossing, and dancing while paired with rhythmic recall, math concepts recitation, and math-based academic competitions such as flashcard races and simple quizzes (Logsdon, 2020). Indeed, these activities involving psychomotor skills of motion and memory are practical for learners who have disabilities in learning. Specific math concepts such as counting, multiplication, and measurement can easily be mastered through motor activities (Logsdon, 2020). For instance, the enhancement of counting skills among young learners can be achieved through motor activities involving aspects such as money-paper, using recipes, gathering sticks, and clapping chants (Learning-Abled-Kids, 2022). Children with learning disabilities employ their audio, tactile, and visual senses in learning, thus improving their mastery of math concepts.

References

Learning Abled Kids. (2022). Multi-sensory Math Instruction for Kids with Learning Disabilities. Multi-Sensory Teaching Tutorial. https://learningabledkids.com/multi_sensory_training/page27-ultisensory_math_instruction.htm

Logsdon, A. (2020, Sep. 17). How to Make Multi-sensory Teaching Materials. Verywell Family. https://www.verywellfamily.com/make-multisensory-teaching-materials-2162327