If you have ever noticed that your child remembers something better when they can touch it, say it out loud, or move their body, you have already seen multisensory learning in action.
Multisensory learning is not a trend or a buzzword. It is one of the most well-researched and effective ways children learn to read, write, and understand math.
And for many kids, it is the difference between frustration and confidence.
What Is Multisensory Learning?
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Multisensory learning means teaching using more than one sense at the same time.
Instead of learning through sight alone, children learn by combining:
- Seeing
- Hearing
- Touching
- Speaking
- Moving
For example, a child might see a letter, say its sound out loud, and physically move or manipulate a piece connected to that letter. This activates multiple areas of the brain at once, making learning stronger and more durable.
This approach is strongly supported by the Science of Reading and cognitive development research.
Why Multisensory Learning Works So Well
1. It Builds Stronger Brain Connections
When children engage multiple senses, the brain creates more pathways connected to the same concept. That means learning is not stored in just one place.
If a child forgets what they saw, their brain can retrieve the information through sound, movement, or touch instead.
This is especially important for early reading and math, where skills must become automatic over time.
2. It Helps Children Understand Instead of Memorize
Many children can memorize information temporarily but struggle to truly understand it.
Multisensory learning slows things down just enough for meaning to form.
When kids manipulate letters and sounds using games like ABC Bingo or Squishyland, they are not just memorizing. They are building an understanding of how sounds, letters, and words actually work.
3. It Supports Focus and Attention
Young children are not built to sit still for long periods.
Movement is not a distraction. It is a learning tool.
Games like Sneaky Elves naturally encourage focus, language development, and strategic thinking while allowing children to stay engaged through action and interaction.
This is especially helpful for children who struggle with attention or feel overwhelmed by traditional instruction.
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Multisensory Learning and Reading Development
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Learning to read is a complex process that involves several skills working together.
Multisensory learning supports all of them.
Phonological and Phonemic Awareness
Children need to hear, say, and play with sounds before they can read words.
Hands-on sound play through Squishyland helps children tune their ears to language in a way worksheets never can.
Phonics and Decoding
Children must connect letters to sounds and blend them into words.
Games like Word Pop allow children to see letters, say sounds, and physically interact with them. This combination strengthens decoding skills and reduces guessing.
Fluency and Automaticity
Fluency comes from repeated success, not pressure.
Sight Word Edition gives children meaningful repetition through touch and movement, helping words become automatic without boredom or frustration.
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Multisensory Learning and Math Development
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Math is not just about answers. It is about understanding quantity, relationships, and patterns.
Number Sense
Children need to physically experience numbers to understand them.
Games like Math Ahoy and Rocket Race let kids count, add, and compare through tactile play, which builds real number sense instead of rote memorization.
Problem Solving and Flexible Thinking
When children play strategy-based games, they practice thinking, adjusting, and trying again.
Math Ahoy supports early math skills while also strengthening reasoning, persistence, and confidence.
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Why Multisensory Learning Beats Passive Screen Time
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Many digital programs rely heavily on tapping and watching.
Multisensory learning requires participation.
Children must speak, move, touch, and think. This active involvement leads to deeper understanding and longer-lasting learning.
That is why screen-free, hands-on tools are so effective, especially in early childhood.
The Confidence Factor
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One of the biggest benefits of multisensory learning is confidence.
When children learn through play and interaction, mistakes feel safe. Progress feels achievable. Learning feels possible.
Confidence grows first. Skills follow.
That is why every game at The Fidget Game is designed to support learning through movement, repetition, and joy.
The Bottom Line
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Multisensory learning works because it aligns with how children are built to learn.
Not quietly.
Not passively.
Not all at once.
But through seeing, touching, speaking, moving, and playing.
When learning feels good, children keep going.
And that is where real growth happens.
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