Does Multisensory Instruction
work for everyone?

A multisensory teaching study by M. Martini revealed that "all students had significantly better achievements with multisensory approaches than with either auditory or visual approaches," (Farkus, 2003). In her learning styles, multisensory study, Rhonda Farkus states, "The power of evidence supporting the benefits of learning-style methodology is compelling," (Farkas, 2003).

"Even the most cursory study of education demonstrates a profound understanding and appreciation of the world derives from a full sensory experience--smell, movement-touch, aural-musical, visual. Relatively recent research in the field of multiple intelligence / emotional intelligence into how we learn, suggests that diversity of sensory and intellectual stimuli is key to increasing our capacity for learning," (Westley, 2003).

All research shows teaching to more than one learning style at a time, in a multisensory manner, helps enhance learning. Kathleen Farmer says, "There are enormous differences in how people acquire, process, and represent knowledge, and education is more effective when differences are taken into account," (Dalton & Farmer, 2002). It is also noted that "everyone has a dominant learning style," (Maal, 2004).

home schooling parents have the luxury of being able to assess their child's unique learning preferences, and to teach towards the child's needs. By teaching with multisensory methods in a preferred setting, a parent can create the optimal learning environment for any child.

So, what exactly is "multisensory instruction"?