"Developing a Multisensory learning environment"

Multi-Sensory Learning is an approach which stimulates more than one sense of a learner. Maria Montessori and many other educational philosophers believed that the multi-sensory learning approach is the best style of learning.

We experience the world through all our senses. Each of us is sensitive to each of our senses on different levels. This is the reason each of us has different learning styles such as visual, auditory, reading and writing, and kinesthetic learning.

But sadly in the traditional school system students with different learning styles are all forced to learn using the same methods, tools and resources. In order to develop a truly multi-sensory experience in learning teachers believe fancy classroom facilities, teaching aides and other resources are required. But often most schools do not have the capacity to provide such facilities that will promote multi-sensory learning in all classrooms and students.

But do we really need expensive and fancy tools and learning aids to promote multi-sensory learning?

Children learn best from their environment. Instead of showing pictures of water sources teachers can take children to the different water sources around the school such as wells, rivers, ponds etc. Encourage children to listen to the different sounds of animals and birds. Take them to the school garden and allow them to explore. Let them play in the sand and the mud. Encourage them to build crafts from things taken from nature.

Children especially in their early years should experience and enjoy the environment and nature around them and move around freely. When children learn freely in ways that most suit their style of learning they will make progress.

Children are naturally curious and creative in different ways. Some like to explore nature, some like to play with circuits, some like building things and others like reading and writing. Sadly these children with different interests and skills are forced to sit in a classroom with barely any space to move for 5 to 6 hours a day. Instead of catering to their unique learning needs, we have one size fit for all students. Each and every child is expected to follow the same routine and follow instructions given by teachers. Even in Art, Dancing or Music children do not have the freedom to explore their creativity. They are restricted by the curriculum, instructions and preparation for examinations. And the saddest outcome is to see students being graded and labelled as ahead or behind in the class. We can never compare two children. Each child is uniquely different with different learning styles, skills and interests.

Through multi-sensory learning, we can ensure that each and every child will continue to learn and develop their skills. No child should be left behind in any form of education.