Multi-sensory learning. Copyright PhotoXpress

Children do not learn in the same way. Some will lean toward auditory learning, others are more visual and still others have to touch and feel everything. This is where multi-sensory teaching comes into play. It is especially useful when homeschooling more than one child.

Incorporating more than one of the five senses into the learning experience allows the homeschooled child to experience the information being presented in many different forms. Doing so greatly increases the chances of long-term retention of the information. This can be accomplished in many ways. See the video below for some ideas.

For math:
Use manipulatives to demonstrate and practice math concepts. This does not require expensive equipment. Use cereal, plastic animals, real money and coins, and construction paper shapes to get the concept across. Incorporate free online games to reinforce skills. For homeschools in Arkansas that have free access to Discovery Streaming, locate math videos that will help reinforce concepts learned. Parents without Discovery Streaming can sign up for a free Parent's Corner subscription.

For language arts:
Bring an assortment of learning experiences to literature, spelling and vocabulary. Read a book then see the movie and compare the two. If reading a series like "Little House on the Prairie" try to visit an old homestead. Arkansas homeschoolers studying civil rights can visit the Central High School National Historic Site in Little Rock.  Spelling City is a great way to get kids to learn their spelling words through free online games and tutorials. Magnetic letters and words can be used to create sentences and spelling words on the refrigerator or any other magnetic surface. Use the letters for spelling and the words for vocabulary reinforcement, sentence structure, and the development of writing skills.

Science is probably the easiest subject for multi-sensory learning. Discovery Streaming has full length videos on every topic. A hunt through the backyard, local park, or nature trail will demonstrate ecosystems at work. Use string and handmade cards of animals to create food webs. A lantern battery, wire and different electrical components like buzzers, doorbells and light sockets make learning about electricity fun. Mousetrap cars are a fabulous way to show the concept of potential and kinetic energy.

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