Multi-Sensory Play and How it Impacts Learning: 10 Ideas for the Classroom

Everyone learns differently using their sensory systems; some people are visual learners, some are auditory learners, and some are hands on learners. Using multi-sensory experiences can optimize a child’s learning potential. Multi-sensory experiences are activities that involve two or more of the senses at the same time.
The idea behind multi-sensory activities is that in our natural environment multiple senses are combined naturally; our bodies are accustomed to taking information from multiple senses and interpreting it at the same time and then outputting a behavioral response. Therefore, multi-sensory activities that involve more than one sense are more like our natural environment, which our bodies are programmed for.
In addition, multi-sensory activities are thought to activate more areas of the brain creating more pathways in the brain where learning and retention of material occur. Adding more sensory experiences into an activity, by activating multiple senses, therefore has the potential to create more pathways for learning in the brain.
Now that we know that multi-sensory activities can facilitate our learning, how do we add a variety of sensory input into our learning activities and children’s play?
Adding sensory input to children’s daily routines and activities is not as hard as one would think, nor does it need to disrupt their routine. The sky is the limit when it comes to adding sensory input into everyday tasks.  Remember there are 7 sensory systems to incorporate into activities. You can be creative and have fun when adapting traditional play and learning activities into multi-sensory activities!

Here are 10 of my favorite ways to make learning a multi-sensory experience in the classroom:

1. Use Sensory Bins or a Sensory Table:  Sensory bins or a sensory table are a great way to incorporate sensory play within the classroom environment.  They provide amazing tactile input into the sensory system; and majority of the time they also incorporate quite a bit of deep pressure input and/or visual input depending on the activity and sensory bin filler that is used.  In fact, sensory table play is the most common multi-sensory play activities that I see used within classroom environments throughout various school districts.  Classroom teachers are effectively using this strategy to work on building fine motor skills, color recognition, letter recognition, science concepts, pre-writing skills, and much more.  I’ve seen some amazing teachers using creative sensory bin filler and various academic concepts to provide students with a wonderful multi-sensory activity within the classroom.  The best part of sensory table play is that the students just love it!  It’s almost as if they forget that they are learning, this is a great way to motivate students and get them engaged and active in their learning.

2. Use a Light Table:  A light table is another great way to incorporate sensory play into the classroom.  A light table is great for adding visual input into the sensory system, while still allowing you to work on various academic concepts including but not limited to: fine motor skills, pre-writing skills, letter recognition etc.  If space is a concern for your classroom, there are many light table tablets on the market that are used to turn any surface into a light table.  The best part about these light table tablets is that you can take them out when you need them and store them away when you don’t.  There are various light table toys and activities available to work on a variety of fine motor and academic skills; and the children love this activity that engages their senses.

3. Use Squishy Sensory Bags:  Another great sensory activity for the classroom is to use the DIY squishy sensory bags.  These bags are made using a ziplock bag, hair gel or hand sanitizer, and tape to seal the top of the bag to prevent a mess.  All you do is fill the ziplock bag with the hair gel and seal it shut with the tape.  You can choose to leave the bag with just the gel and have the children practice pre-writing skills by drawing letters or shapes in it.  Since the sensory bag is see through, you could also work on some tracing skills as well.  You could also choose to place some small objects into the bags before sealing them and have children work on some fine motor skills as they have to pinch their fingers to move the objects in the bag.  This is a great sensory activity that provides great sensory input through the tactile system, while also providing deep pressure input into the hands as the students squish and squeeze the bags.

4. Play Music:  One of my favorite ways to add sensory input into everyday classroom activities is to incorporate music.  You could choose to play music in the background while the children do their written work.  I see many classroom teachers regularly using music and dance at circle time to improve children’s focus and sitting tolerance.  In addition, using song throughout the classroom routine is a great way to stimulate the auditory sense.  For example, you can sing a song during clean up time or other transitions to add more sensory input into the school day.  For an added boost of sensory input, have the children join you in singing or humming throughout the day for some added oral motor input as well.

5. Get Up and Moving:  Another great way to add sensory input throughout the school day is to get your students up and moving out of their seats.  Children learn best when their bodies are moving and doing, so it makes sense that when we utilize their motor system and stimulate their vestibular system it can have lasting benefits for their overall attention and participation within the classroom.  Getting students up and moving does not have to take away from the classroom routine or curriculum.  I always suggest to teachers to utilize natural breaks and transitions within the classroom as opportunities to take a sensory break.  Sensory breaks could range from marching in place, pushing their bodies against a wall, carrying books or boxes of toys to put them away etc.  You can be as creative as you want when it comes to getting kids out of their seats and moving their bodies.  Other ways to incorporate movement into the classroom is to have students use their whole bodies to make letters or have them trace letters on the floor by walking along over-sized outlines on the floor like a balance beam.  The sky really is the limit with this one.

6. Offer Alternative Seating Options:  Another idea for adding sensory input into your classroom routine is to offer students alternative seating options during seated work.  While getting kids up and moving, using their whole bodies is the best option for their sensory system; let’s be honest there are certain learning activities that require children to remain seated.  In these situations offering students seating options can decrease the boredom and increase their overall attention by stimulating their sensory systems.  Alternative seating options could range from a wiggle seat on a chair, a therapy ball instead of a chair, or a wobble seat.  Another option that I love is to get students away from the table and chairs completely and get them on the floor.  One of my favorite positions to complete handwriting and fine motor tasks is on the tummy lying on the floor.  This position provides amazing sensory feedback to the child by offering tons of deep pressure input through the joints and body.

7. Get Outdoors:  Outdoor play can have lasting benefits for children in regards to their sensory regulation.  Getting students out into nature with naturally subdued colors and lighting can make a big difference on the sensory processing abilities and attention especially for students who may be prone to sensory overload.  Furthermore, getting outside promotes gross motor play where students can be free to move and explore their bodies.  I highly recommend that students get healthy doses of outdoor play daily as weather conditions permit.  The more outdoor play we can offer our students, the more we will see lasting changes in their sensory processing and regulation overall.  I encourage teachers to be creative with their lesson plans and when able perform them outdoors outside of the classroom; your students’ sensory systems will thank you.

8. Chew Gum or Crunchy Foods:  For many students and even adults, our oral motor system can be very regulating and calming.  Think about young children as they try a new task, many times you will see young students sticking their tongue out as they concentrate and focus.  This is their own way of calming their stressed sensory system and regulating their bodies.  Providing children with opportunities to receive routine oral motor sensory input into their bodies, will offer an added sensory experience to their school day and have a calming effect on the body overall.  Allowing students to chew gum or eat crunchy foods during seated work can actually improve focus and attention by stimulating their oral motor sensory system.

9. Incorporate Song and Dance:  Incorporating music and movement together stimulates two different sensory systems into one simultaneous activity creating a truly multi-sensory experience for young learners.  You can use song and dance during circle time to give kids a break from seated tasks; allowing them to move their bodies in a fun and appropriate way.  Choosing songs that have specific dances or hand and body movements can be a great way to work on following directions and improving body scheme and awareness in young children as well.  Songs that work on identifying and writing letters can also be a great way to incorporate academics into this wonderful sensory friendly activity.

10. Make Students Classroom Helpers:  This is another easy way to add sensory input throughout the school day.  Classroom chores that involve lifting, pushing, and pulling tasks offer tons of calming deep pressure and movement input through their vestibular system.  These types of activities can be very grounding and regulating for all children, but can be especially so for children who may be struggling with sensory regulation.  Classroom chores can be anything from stacking chairs, carrying books, passing out supplies, to wiping down the chalkboard or tables.  I encourage teachers to think about each child’s individual sensory needs when selecting classroom jobs.  For example, a child that is overly aggressive may need more deep pressure input to calm their stressed sensory system and may benefit from a classroom chore of collecting and stacking books more so than being a line leader for the day.  Classroom chores are one of my favorite ways to get good doses of sensory input into children’s routines and it also helps each child feel like they are a contributing member of the classroom environment.