Mia’s parents became concerned with her growing frustration with math. She struggled to grasp even the simplest concepts, making math a dreaded subject in their household.
Determined to find a solution before Mia’s frustration turned to aversion, they sought advice from her teacher.
Her teacher introduced them to the idea of multisensory math activities, and her parents, hopeful about this approach, decided to explore it.
Math began to come alive for Mia as she did math through games and activities that engaged her senses and captured her interest.
What Are Multisensory Math Activities?
Multisensory instruction is a dynamic learning approach that engages children using sight, sound, touch, and movement. Multisensory techniques enhance understanding and make learning a joyful and meaningful experience.
The multisensory approach helps children understand and remember mathematical concepts more effectively by engaging multiple senses.
For children like Mia, who struggle with traditional learning methods, multisensory math activities turn challenges into triumphs, building confidence and sometimes even a newfound love for math.
How Does Multisensory Math Instruction Work?
Think about how you learn best. Is it by hearing someone explain something, seeing it, or physically doing it yourself?
Multisensory math activities work because they tap into different learning styles. They allow kids to see, touch, and even move while learning math skills.
- The Visual Learner: They benefit from seeing math problems in action. Using items like colored tiles or beads helps them visualize math operations.
- Tactile Learners: These are the kids who learn by doing. They often understand better when they can physically manipulate objects with their hands, like building with blocks.
- Kinesthetic Learners: They grasp concepts better when movement is involved. For instance, jumping on a number line chalked on the floor makes subtraction and addition more engaging.
- Auditory Learners: The auditory learner excels when they can hear math concepts explained. They benefit from verbal instructions, songs, and rhythms that help reinforce math operations and rules. Listening to explanations or discussing problems orally can aid their understanding.
Multisensory math techniques help children to focus and make math practice a joy rather than a chore. When kids find learning fun, motivation naturally follows.
Have you ever noticed how engaged kids are when they’re playing games or doing arts and crafts? Multisensory math activities harness that same excitement and channel it into productive learning.
Why Are Multisensory Activities for Math Important?
Parents often wonder why their child’s current mathematics instruction isn’t working. One-size-fits-all approaches rarely cater to a child’s unique learning needs. Multisensory methods break down barriers and can be particularly effective for kids who find traditional math instruction challenging.
Key Benefits of the Multisensory Math Approach
– Engagement:
Multisensory activities draw students in, capturing their interest and making learning feel less tedious and more like an interactive game.
– Comprehension:
These activities use multiple senses to help children build a deeper understanding of math concepts. Kids don’t just memorize; they understand the “why” behind the operations.
– Retention:
When children actively participate in their learning process, they are more likely to remember the concepts they’ve been taught.
Consider how a child learns best—not by memorizing unrelated facts, but by seeing, touching, and hearing how those facts fit together. This approach is particularly beneficial for children with learning difficulties, as it taps into their strengths and accommodates diverse learning styles.
Multisensory Math Activities For Visual and Tactile Learners
Think back to when you were young and played with blocks or beads. These same simple items can become powerful tools for practicing basic math operations. For example, you can showcase basic addition and subtraction using beads by sliding them on a string or frame.
Counting, Pattern, and Shape Activities
These activities leverage the use of manipulatives to help children develop number recognition, number sense, patterns, and shapes through visual and tactile interaction.
#1 Bead String Counting:
Use string, colorful beads, or uncooked pasta, like penne or macaroni. Have your child add a bead for each number they count up to, creating a visual and tactile representation of the whole numbers.
Use beads in various colors and have children create bracelets by following or making a specific pattern sequence (like red, blue, red, blue).
Use different-shaped beads (like circles, cubes, and cylinders) to create pattern necklaces. Discuss the shape and the sequence as they string the beads.
#2 Egg Carton Math:
Label each section of an egg carton with numbers and use small items like marbles or dried beans to match the number in each section.
#3 Coin Counting:
Gather a collection of different coins. Ask your child to count and sort them by denomination, creating stacks for each coin type.
#4 Button Sorting:
Use a variety of buttons and a muffin tin. Challenge your child to place the correct number of buttons in each muffin slot according to your labeled numbers.
Provide an assortment of buttons differing in color, size, or shape. Children can arrange them into repeating patterns based on one or more attributes.
#5 Lego Tower Building:
Challenge your child to build towers with a specified number of Lego blocks. Build towers with Lego bricks using specific color patterns, encouraging them to predict and build the next few levels.
#6 Rock Garden Counting:
Collect smooth pebbles or rocks. Write numbers on them and have your child arrange them in order or count them into a container.
#7 Cereal Counting Game:
Use a bowl of cereal, such as Cheerios or Fruit Loops. Have your child count out specific amounts to match the corresponding number.
You can also have them sort by colors and create color patterns.
#8 Sticker Counting Charts:
Provide a sheet of stickers and a grid. Have your child place one sticker per square, counting as they fill the grid.
#9 Cup Stack Patterns:
Use paper or plastic cups in different colors and stack them in repeating patterns. Have your child extend the stack by continuing the pattern.
#10 Shape Baking Activity:
Use cookie cutters in various shapes to cut out dough. Have your child help bake the cookies and learn about shapes through this hands-on process.
#11 Shape Hunt with Tangrams:
Give your child tangram pieces and challenge them to find everyday items around the room that match each tangram shape.
#12 Geoboard Designs:
Utilize a geoboard and rubber bands to form shapes. Ask your child to create specific shapes and count the sides and angles.
#13 Number Line Jumps:
Draw a number line on paper or poster board. Have your child use small objects to jump forward or backward when adding and subtracting.
Measurement Activities
These activities make measurement concepts tangible, enhancing understanding through hands-on exploration and comparison.
#14 Measuring with Cereal Boxes:
Use cereal boxes as a non-standard unit and have children measure the length or height of items by stacking and counting the boxes.
#15 Ribbon Measuring:
Provide ribbons of various lengths and a ruler. Have the kids estimate, measure, and organize the ribbons from shortest to longest.
#16 Footprint Measurement:
Use a cut-out of a child’s shoe or their actual footprint to measure distances across a room, recording how many steps it takes. Then, compare their footprints to those of other family members.
#17 Liquid Measurement in the Kitchen:
During a hands-on cooking activity, have children measure water or rice using measuring cups and spoons to understand volume and capacity.
#18 Block Tower Heights:
Build towers using blocks, then use a ruler or tape measure to determine the height of each tower. Compare and order the towers by height.
#19 Weight Comparisons with Scales:
Use a household scale to weigh different objects. Record the weights and compare which are heavier or lighter.
#20 Measuring String Lengths:
Cut pieces of string into various lengths, and have the children use a ruler or measuring tape to measure and record each length.
#21 Estimating with Hand Widths:
Have children use their hand spans to estimate and measure the width of objects, comparing their estimates to actual measurements.
Addition and Subtraction Activities
These activities help children visualize and physically manipulate numbers, which reinforces their understanding of addition and subtraction in a tactile way.
#22 Addition and Subtraction Objects
Use various objects to create simple addition and subtraction problems. Group them for addition and take some away for subtraction, visually demonstrating the process. Some ideas for objects:
- Buttons
- Beads
- Cereal
- Cars
- Blocks
- Puzzle pieces
- Cotton balls
#23 Egg Carton Sums:
Use an empty egg carton and small objects like dried beans to practice addition and subtraction. Ask your child to “add” beans and then “take away” them. Have them write the problems on paper as they solve them.
#24 Dice Roll Sums:
Roll two dice and add the numbers together. For subtraction, take the larger number and subtract the smaller one. Write the calculations on paper.
#25 Lego Math Towers:
Build towers with a certain number of blocks. Add more to make taller towers or remove blocks for subtraction practice.
#26 Snack Subtraction:
Use small snacks like pretzels, gummy bears, or grapes to solve math problems, eating the “subtracted” items as they calculate.
#27 Clothespin Counting:
Clip clothespins onto corresponding numbered cards. Combine pins for addition and remove them for subtraction.
#28 Bundles for Regrouping:
Use craft sticks or Q-tips to represent numbers, bundling them into groups of ten with rubber bands for tens.
Add or subtract sticks and form new bundles to show regrouping.
#29 Regrouping Money:
Use play money to practice regrouping. Have your child practice exchanging various scenarios, such as:
- Five one-dollar bills for a five-dollar bill.
- Ten one-dollar bills for a ten-dollar bill.
- Two five-dollar bills for a ten-dollar bill.
- Two ten dollar bills for a twenty dollar bill.
#30 Regrouping With Blocks
Use base-ten blocks or create a stack of 10 Legos to physically represent the number”10″. Then, use individual blocks to represent “1“.
For example, in the equation 25 + 36, you would have two tens and five ones and three tens and six ones. Then, you would have your child regroup the ones into a ten when combining.
Place Value Activities
These activities make the concept of place value tangible, providing hands-on learning experiences that help students internalize how numbers are structured and related.
#31 Sticky Note Place Value System:
Create a column for ones, tens, and hundreds on a poster board (or place value mat). Write numbers 1-9 on sticky notes and randomly stick them in each column.
Have your child figure out (or match) the number it represents.
For example, if there is a 3 in the hundreds column, a 5 in the tens column, and a 9 in the ones column, then the number would be 359.
#32 Cup and Straw Bundles:
Use cups labeled with a place value (ones, tens, and hundreds) and straws. Have your child bundle straws into groups of ten to place in the appropriate cup.
Then, have them combine to create different place values, such as 10 ten bundles to make a hundred.
#33 Dice Rolling for Numbers:
Roll dice to generate numbers for each place value. Then, have them stack blocks or collect beads to represent the number.
#34 Lego Value Towers:
Construct towers with Legos in different colors representing each place value. Stack and separate them to show differences between ones, tens, and hundreds.
#35 Spaghetti and Marshmallow Structures:
Construct structures representing different numbers using spaghetti as tens and mini marshmallows as ones, emphasizing the separate values through unique physical shapes.
Teaching Time Activities
#36 Paper Plate Clocks:
Create clocks using paper plates and brads for movable hands. Let children practice setting different times, reinforcing the positions of the hour and minute hands.
#37 Daily Schedule Timeline:
Write various daily activities that take place at a specific time of day onto index cards. Have your child arrange the cards chronologically, understanding the time sequence.
#38 Egg Timer Challenges:
Use an egg timer for short activities. This will help children grasp the concept of passing time and estimate how long tasks take.
#39 Time Matching Games:
Create cards with clock faces showing different times and matching digital time cards. Have children pair them to reinforce analog and digital time reading.
#40 My Day Clock Face:
Provide blank clock faces and ask children to draw events from their day at the correct times, linking time with routine activities.
#41 Cooking with Time:
Use timers while cooking to teach about time intervals. Explain how recipes involve exact timings and let children sit and watch the timer.
#42 Calendar and Clock Correlation:
Discuss days, weeks, and months using a calendar. Include discussions about hours in a day, correlating the calendar with a clock to connect larger time concepts.
Teaching Money Activities
#43 Money Match-Up:
Create cards with pictures of different coins and bills and match the cards with their respective values. Then, have the children match coins and bills to their values.
You can mix it up by including cards that match coins with bills, such as four quarters with a dollar bill.
#44 Piggy Bank Counting:
Use a piggy bank and let children count coins as they insert them. Later, empty the piggy bank to practice grouping and adding the coins.
#45 Money Bingo:
You can play bingo using cards with various money values. When you call out an amount, players must mark the correct coin or bill combination to match it.
#46 Grocery Ad Math:
Use grocery store ads and give your child a budget. They must choose items they can afford and add up the total, practicing addition and subtraction in a real-world context.
Multisensory Math Activities for Kinesthetic Learners
Kids love to move, and integrating movement into math lessons can be both beneficial and fun. Consider activities that let them physically engage with math concepts. Here are some ideas to try at home:
#47 Math scavenger hunt
Hide math problem cards around the yard and let them find and solve them.
#48 Clock Face Hopscotch:
Draw a giant clock on the ground with chalk. Use a beanbag or small toy as the clock hands. Call out times and have children move the marker to the correct time.
#49 Store Shopping Game:
Set up a Play Store with items labeled with prices. Use pretend money to buy and sell items, teaching children how to make transactions and count change.
#50 Role Play Bank Teller:
Set up a “bank“ where children can role-play as tellers and customers. Using play money, they practice deposits, withdrawals, and counting money.
#51 Hopscotch Math:
Draw a hopscotch grid with numbers, and let children hop to solve simple addition and subtraction equations.
You can also draw a number line and have them physically move back and forth, adding and subtracting numbers.
#52 Math Relay Races:
Create stations with math problems to solve before moving to the next spot.
#53 Timed Activities:
Use a stopwatch or timer for activities, like how many jumps a child can do in a minute, introducing the concept of time measurement.
#54 Rhythm Patterns:
Develop rhythm patterns using claps, stomps, and snaps. Children can repeat and extend the sequences, translating auditory patterns into physical actions.
Combining learning with movement allows children to absorb information more naturally while burning off energy.
Combining Math With Art
Art and math might seem worlds apart, but combined, they help reinforce mathematical concepts through creativity.
Encourage kids to draw shapes and patterns or use building blocks to construct geometric figures:
- Drawing: Ask children to draw scenes that include different shapes or represent math problems, like creating a picture using triangles and squares.
- Building: Use blocks to build pyramids or structures, reinforcing geometry through hands-on experiences.
This combination allows math to be explored through artistic expression, making it more memorable and enjoyable.
Combining Math With Music
Music isn’t just for enjoyment; it can also be a highly effective way to learn math. Rhythm and songs can make memorizing difficult math facts easier. Here are a few ideas to try:
Musical Time Freeze:
Play music and let children move around; when the music stops, hold up a clock showing the time. Have children point to that time on their own paper clocks.
Songs for Memorization:
Use catchy tunes to help remember multiplication tables or math rules. They will stick in your mind like your favorite song!
Rhythmic Counting:
Tap or clap along while counting, reinforcing number patterns through rhythm.
This musical approach connects math with sound, helping children learn through their ears as well as their eyes.
Tips for Implementing Multisensory Math Activities at Home
When introducing multisensory math activities, patience and flexibility are key. Remember, each child is unique and may respond differently to activities. Here are some tips to guide you:
- Adjust to Your Child’s Pace: If a particular method doesn’t click immediately, it’s okay. Try varying the activity slightly or revisit it another day when your child may be more receptive.
- Watch for Engagement: When your child is most engaged, try to understand what captures their interest. Do they light up when using music? Or do they prefer something tactile, like clay? Use these insights to tailor activities.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Every step forward is progress. Celebrate when they grasp a new concept or even when they show more enthusiasm compared to previous sessions. This boosts their confidence and fosters a love for learning.
- Encourage Exploration: Let your child come up with their own methods. Sometimes, a child’s spontaneous idea can become a fantastic learning opportunity.
Think of this approach as gardening. You’re nurturing curiosity, and with a bit of patience, you’ll see your child’s understanding of math bloom and thrive. By creating a supportive learning environment and remaining adaptive, you’re setting the stage for successful educational adventures.
Making A Real Difference
Multisensory math activities are more than just a creative approach to teaching. They provide a bridge for children, especially those with learning disabilities, to understand complex concepts in a fun and effective way.
Connect with your child through these methods and watch as they develop academic skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Your active participation in your child’s education can make a significant difference. Explore these ideas, adapt them to your home, and witness the positive impact they can make.
Additional Math Resources
- 28+ Winter Math Activities for Kids of All Ages
- 5 Simple Dyscalculia Strategies for Kids Struggling With Math
- 27 Brilliant Summer Math Activities for Kids (That Doesn’t Feel Like Schoolwork)
- How to Improve Math Skills with 7 Simple Strategies
- 4 Outside Of The Box Ideas For Children Struggling with Math
Additional Multisensory Learning Resources
- What is Multisensory Learning: Benefits for Your Child
- Multisensory Reading Strategies for Kids Struggling to Read
If you’re searching for additional ways your child can help in math… we offer one-on-one special education tutoring that can be done from anywhere you are! Why? Because our special education experts conduct their sessions online!
Get started with a free consultation!
