MULTISENSORY METHODS IN THE PRESCHOOL SETTING

Abstract

Multisensory stimulation occurs when two or more sensory receptors are stimulated simultaneously. In order to effectively and accurately perceive an object, the brain combines information from the senses of sight, sound, touch, and kinaesthetics. Learning new skills can also benefit greatly from this integration. In order to improve early literacy skills in normally developing preschoolers, this chapter examines multisensory processing and its application. Although there is a lack of empirical research on the effectiveness of multisensory instruction for early literacy skill acquisition, the few studies that do exist have been carried out in ecologically valid settings and offer useful insights into the ways in which these strategies can be utilized to benefit the early literacy development of young children. In addition to the traditional visual and auditory only methods (for example, the instructor presents a printed letter and says the letter name and/or sound), these strategies may incorporate both a tactile and kinaesthetic component (for example, tracing and manipulating letters with fingers).

The focus will be on how these multisensory techniques can be used at home and in preschool. To help scaffold early literacy learning, teachers and parents should use multisensory strategies. However, in order to precisely determine the advantages of multisensory processes and instruction in early literacy learning, additional carefully controlled studies are essential.