Good Sensory Learning Blog

Over the 15 years that I have worked as a learning specialist and educational therapist, I have never had a student come into my office with a poor test grade and ask me to help them learn the material that they clearly did not master. Instead of nurturing a desire to learn, our current paradigm instills a fear of failure.  As a result, when a student receives what they believe to be a poor grade on a test or assignment, they often feel degraded and ashamed. Often, these tests and assignments are hidden or discarded, and learning takes a nosedive....

Teachers are continually searching for effective ways to reach more learners, support engagement, and improve long-term retention. One of the most powerful ways to accomplish this is by intentionally integrating a variety of teaching methods so that students can connect with content through multiple pathways. When instruction reflects the 12 ways of learning, students are able to process information in the way that feels most natural to them while also strengthening less dominant learning pathways.  Using a multisensory and inclusive teaching approach not only increases comprehension, it also boosts confidence, motivation, and enjoyment. When lessons appeal to visual, auditory, tactile,...

Over the summer, many students experience the "summer slide" phenomenon and lose both cognitive and academic gains from the prior school year. In fact, those who are already behind can be the ones who stand to lose the most. However, this doesn't have to be the case! With as little as an hour a day, students can maintain and even improve their knowledge and abilities. So what can we do to help our young learners fight the slide and make significant gains while having fun?  12 Activities that Help Children Improve Learning and Cognition Over Vacations Design a fun learning...

Do your students have trouble remembering all the phonics, grammar, and spelling rules? Do you have to continually review past lessons to ensure that struggling readers know the foundational skills? Do you find that one day a student has mastered a concept and the next day you have to start at square one?   Having to continually review the same old stuff can be a boring chore for everyone involved. However, one of the most effective methods I have employed with my students is helping them to create their own colorful, language arts handbook. What’s more, this activity can be fun,...

Did you know that visualization can be the key to unlocking memory abilities, attentional skills, and enjoyment for learning? Surprisingly, the use of mental imagery for learning is not a new concept; it has deep roots in ancient philosophy and educational theory. For centuries, scholars and teachers have recognized that when students actively picture ideas in their minds, they form stronger, more personal connections to the material.  Use of Visualization Throughout History: The use of visualization can be traced back as far as Aristotle in 348 B.C.  He wrote, “recollection is a searching of an image.” Again, in the 5th and...