Good Sensory Learning Blog

Implied meaning can be a tricky concept to master when students move from concrete to abstract ways of thinking.  However, learning implied meaning does not have to be difficult.  In fact, teaching inference skills can be joyful and memorable!  What is an Inference? Inferences are a common literary device that requires the reader or listener to imply meaning from evidence or known facts. It is a higher-order thinking skill that enables conclusions to be drawn or implied from hidden messages.   When Do Students First Come Across Inferential Thinking? Children passively learn about or make inferential leaps when they draw conclusions from the world around them.  For...

With kids and many parents at home, it's an ideal time to play some fun, educational games and connect with your loved ones.  What are the Different Types of Educational Games? Some games reinforce educational lessons such as place value, basic writing, or part of speech, while others can serve as activities that strengthen areas of cognition such as processing speed, working memory, or executive functioning.  So where can you find some new and engaging games? Good Sensory Learning is a Great Source for Educational Games Fun, multisensory games and playful lessons are at the heart of Good Sensory Learning, and to keep...

Multiplication Instruction that requires rote memorization is often a labor-intensive and boring task for young learners. Many kids spend countless hours with flashcards as well as paper and pencil drills.  What if I told you that there was a better way?  Instead, teachers can use songs, coloring activities, finger techniques, games, and strategies to make the multiplication quick and simple! What are Some Simple Strategies for Teaching the Times Tables? There are a number of strategies that can be used with students to master their multiplication tables: Just like students can learn how to count by 2s, 5s, and 10s, they can also learn to...

Learning to follow directions is a critical skill for young children. Whether they are complying with a parent's directives, teachers' written instructions, or following oral commands from a coach or mentor, those that can implement this ability have a major advantage. What Does it Mean to Follow Directions? Following directions is the implementation of a series of requested tasks. Directions can be presented orally, or in written form, and involve the understanding and interpretation of language.  Many children struggle with this skill, because it requires them to: use their working memory to hold, remember and recall a sequence of directives make sense of subtle linguistic...

The landscape of academic success is vast and complex, yet recent studies shine a spotlight on a critical cornerstone: working memory. This revelation positions working memory not just as a function of the mind, but as a fundamental predictor of educational success. For students wrestling with memory deficits, honing this skill can be a game-changer. Let's embark on an enlightening journey to uncover how empowering the working memory can catalyze profound benefits and transform struggling students into successful learners.  What is Working Memory? Working memory is a short-term, cognitive function with limited capacity that gathers sensory input and memories to complete...