Our Home Learning: Multi-Sensory Learning

Recently, I posted about foundations of our home learning and one aspect of our learning is making sure it is multi-sensory. This is one of the reasons I really like Oak Meadow.  It is a good fit for all kinds of learners -auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. (Here is a great article about the three different learning styles from Successful Homeschooling.)













 


For example, in the Oak Meadow grade 4 literature studies, the children read Stuart Little and at the end have a range of choices of how to show that they understood the story, ranging from making a canoe that looks like the one Stuart Little used on his adventures to writing postcards from Stuart Little to his family. Oak Meadow includes multi-sensory learning in the earliest grades as well. My youngest son is working through the first grade syllabus and every few days we read a story then incorporate a letter of the alphabet into a drawing that illustrates the story.  There we have an easy effort for the auditory and visual learner.

Here are two illustrations from Oak Meadow's Fairy Tales.
On the right is an oven with a door in the shape of a "D"
and on the right is a cat in the shape of a "C"

We add our own multi-sensory learning into the mix as well. This can range from learning about the change of seasons through making art to visiting a local Native American Longhouse to instead of just reading about it. This brings me to one of my favorite things about homeschooling: the field trips.  Oh, how I love them.  To see my kids excited about learning while doing is absolutely delightful!

In the near future, I look forward to adding in a new element to our multi-sensory learning: math in cooking. What ways do you encourage multi-sensory learning with your children?