Q: How can kinesthetic and tactile methods be important learning tools for developing alphabet and vocabulary skills?
A: “If the students can link their eye, their ear, their voice and their hand, it really helps to cure their learning of the language structure, which so many of the students struggle with,” says Amy Erich, director of literacy development at Lawrence School. “Each different sensory input activates a different pathway to the brain. Kinesthetic is going to incorporate more of your gross motor muscles. Tactile is more with your smaller muscles. So, writing with the pencil is more tactile. But, also tactile reinforcement includes feeling things. If we can activate several pathways, we are more likely to be retaining that information and having easier recalls in the future.”
