Learn how to help a dyslexic child by using ‘Multi-sensory learning‘ methods to make learning fun.
Multi-sensory learning uses the whole body to learn. By hearing, seeing and moving, a dyslexic child uses all their senses to learn.
A dyslexic child may find that they learn better by using a particular sense. For example, they may enjoy using touch, such as making a clay model of a word they struggle to spell.
Multi-sensory learning is based on scientific research. Learn more: “Multi-sensory learning – Orton Gillingham”.
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Help a dyslexic child learn new spellings
Read, write and remember new words, in 3 short activities. 10 minutes a day, with free printable worksheets.
Try it today: one word, 3 senses
Pick one word your child struggles to spell. Then practise it in 3 different ways:
- See it – write the word in big, bright letters.
- Hear it – say each letter out loud together.
- Touch it – make the word from modelling clay or pasta shapes.
Print the free Multi-sensory Learning worksheet: write a new word in the middle, then practise it with a different sense on each line.
Want more multi-sensory ideas on a card your child can follow?
The Multi-Sensory Learning card has simple steps for you on the front and a picture activity for your child on the back. Everything is in one place. It’s one of 56 ten-minute activities in the Mooki Cards deck.
Instant download · use on a phone or tablet, or print and fill in
Multi-sensory dyslexia friendly learning
The Dyslexic Mum shares how multi-sensory learning made a difference for her child.
“Sometimes, as a mum, it feels like my child just plays all day at school. When I ask her what she learned, she replies, ‘We painted and made things with cardboard.’ It seems like she isn’t learning to read and write.
However, she is learning through play. This is called “multi-sensory learning.” I discovered that dyslexic children learn best this way. At home, when she has a spelling test or struggles with a new word, we practise it using fun ideas. This makes learning feel like play.”
Watch this video to learn more: ‘What is multi-sensory learning?’.
When using multi-sensory learning, follow these tips.
- Get creative – use items from home to help your child learn. Spell words with teddy bears, cutlery or pasta shapes.
- Favourite sense – if your child has a favourite sense, plan activities around it. For example, if they enjoy tasting, bake letter-shaped biscuits and spell words before eating.
- Rule of 10 – a dyslexic child may need up to 10 tries to learn something new. Plan 10 multi-sensory activities to teach a new word. See “Rule of 10” for ideas.
- Word lists – use multi-sensory methods to learn these “Word lists” of common words. If your child can read and write all the words on the lists, they will build a strong foundation in English.
