Kids don’t all learn in the same way. Some children learn best by seeing something, others by hearing it, moving their bodies, or actually getting their hands involved. A multisensory approach combines several of these experiences at once to help children better understand, remember, and participate in an activity.
Think about learning to write the letter “A.” Instead of only looking at the letter on a worksheet, a child might:
👀 See the letter on a card or visual
👂 Hear the sound the letter makes
✋ Trace it with a finger in sand, shaving cream, or a textured surface
🗣️ Say the letter or its sound out loud
💪 Move their whole body to form the shape of the letter
By using multiple senses, we give the brain more than one pathway for learning.
Why Can This Be Helpful?
Multisensory activities can be especially helpful for children who have difficulty sitting and attending to traditional, worksheet-based activities. Adding movement, hands-on materials, or sensory experiences can make learning feel more engaging and meaningful.
It can also help children:
Build attention and engagement
Improve body awareness and motor skills
Strengthen memory and recall
Practice new skills in a fun, meaningful way
Connect what they see, hear, feel, and do
Feel more successful and confident when learning something new
Try It at Home!
You don't need special equipment to make an activity multisensory. Try turning everyday learning into a hands-on experience:
Practice spelling: Write letters in shaving cream, salt, or sand while saying each letter aloud.
Practice numbers: Have your child jump, clap, or stomp while counting.
Learn new words: Look at a picture, say the word, act it out, and use it in a sentence.
Practice handwriting: Have your child trace letters with their finger before picking up a pencil.
Follow directions: Pair a verbal direction with a visual cue or demonstration.
Learn through movement: Turn learning into an obstacle course—answer a question, complete a movement, and then move on to the next one.
Remember: Learning Doesn't Have to Look Like Sitting at a Desk
Sometimes the best learning happens when kids are moving, touching, listening, looking, and doing all at once. A multisensory approach allows us to meet children where they are and give them different ways to participate and show what they know.
The goal isn't to make every activity bigger or more complicated. Sometimes adding one simple sensory or movement component is enough to make learning more engaging and accessible.
At Creating Connections OT, we’re here to help your child thrive—emotionally, physically, and socially. If this post resonated with you and you're wondering what the next step looks like, our New Client Page has everything you need. From what to expect in your first session to how we support your child’s unique goals, it’s all just a click away.