Multi Sensory Learning

This post is the first of a series on the Arabic alphabet, so whilst multi sensory learning can and should be used in teaching all different things, the examples in this post will focus on how it can be used to teach the Arabic alphabet. 

Our quest to teach the Arabic alphabet and basic principles of deen in a way that stimulates young minds begins here, with multi sensory learning.

The name pretty much says it all: learning that involves different senses. The more senses that you engage, the greater the chance of a child retaining the information.

You're probably familiar with the different types of learners, but if you aren't, or need to refresh your memory, there's three types: auditory, visual and kinestetic learners. 

We were taught the alphabet using a kitab and sometimes flashcards too. But teaching with flashcards and a kitab only uses two senses; sight and hearing.  Multi sensory learning, on the other hand, caters for all different types of learners.  

 

So how can we use multi sensory learning to teach the Arabic alphabet?

For each letter, I have produced a worksheet and an activity, which I will post and make available for download soon inshallah. But doing the worksheet with the activity alone is not enough. To make each letter unforgettable, here some things to try:

Flashcards 

This really appeals to visual learners and is an easy starting point. Print out alphabet flashcards on coloured card, and laminate to make Print each letter on a4 or a5 so that they are large enough to use as a templates for play dough alphabet shapes (see below)

Flashcards can be used in the traditional manner which appeals to visual learners. But you can add a bit of excitement to your lesson by giving each child a flashcard to hold and saying a letter out loud. The child who is holding the letter can run to a certain spot, or jump, sit, stand.. Whatever catches your fancy really, as long as there is some movement. 

You can download a4 size Arabic Alphabet Flashcards here (individual letters only), and you can also download a set of Arabic alphabet flashcards in their intial, medial and final forms over here.

Play dough 

Most children love play dough so have them make the letter out of play dough. An easier way would be to make the alphabet shape on top of a laminated alphabet card. 

I suggest using the home made or non toxic variety, especially for those children who enjoy involving the sense of taste in their learning :)

Sandpaper Letters

This is the Montessori approach. Cut out the Arabic alphabet in sandpaper, and let your child trace the letter with their fingers. Sandpaper can be a difficult to cut, so an easier way of doing this would be to simply put glue on an alphabet template, pour sand over that, and then allow your child to trace with their fingers. Another option would be to fill a shallow tray with sand and let them trace letters in the sand tray.


Goo/Slime Writing
Put colourful and squishy 'goo' in a ziplock bag and tape down onto the desk. Children use their finger to write the letter. Make 'goo' using flour, water and food colouring, or use hair gel. 


Memory Cards
This a good game to play once you've done a few letters.  Write two sets of each letter and place them upside down.  Children take turns trying to find a matching set.
Or you could play it as a game of 'snap!'.

I'll stop here before this post becomes too long! There's a whole host of ideas out there, these aren't even the tip of the iceberg! If you're looking for more ideas, then check pinterest. Speaking of which.. don't forget to follow PrayPlayLearn. 

I'll be posting more on multi sensory learning activities, but this time in relation to a specific letter. However, keep referring to ideas in this post because repition is key.