Multisensory Experiences for Improved Language Development

Mattie Marks, M.Ed., CCC-SLP

We are always learning more about language acquisition and development. More recently, we have learned more about the importance of multisensory experiences in the development of language. In this post, we will discuss a recent study and how to support your child learning language through multisensory experiences.

In a study by Seidl, Indarjit, & Borovsky (2023), they conducted three different experiments to determine if number of sensory experiences impacts a child’s understanding and acquisition of words. They determined that children acquire words earlier, increased recognition of words, and increased learning of novel words better that were linked to more sensory experiences with the objects vs. less sensory experiences (e.g. seeing vs. seeing+touching). For example, if a child is seeing, tasting, and touching applesauce while the word “applesauce” is being modeled, they are more likely to acquire the word than a child just seeing the applesauce.

Now that we know the increased number of sensory experiences (e.g., see, taste, touch, hear, smell) a child has is linked to better acquisition of language how do we use this knowledge to support our own kids?

1. Play!

This is why play is so important with how kids learn and why we use play in pediatric therapy. Play with things and talk about how they feel, smell, taste (if it is food), sound. Seek out toys and activities that are interactive and can provide multisensory experiences. Examples of this in toys could be pretend play toys such as toy food, baby dolls, dress up clothes, little people, playdough, kinetic sand, slime, or other sensory boxes. Example activities could be helping a grown-up cook a meal and touching, smelling, tasting as you go, or playing outside and touching the leaves, grass, branches, etc.

2. Choose toys, activities, and sensory activities that are preferred by your child

This will help to support their attention and perception to the activities you are doing. Incorporate high-interest items into new activities.

3. Take pictures of the activities your child does

Use the pictures to talk about the experiences again later, using sensory-rich language (e.g., what did you see, feel, taste, smell, hear) to help them reimagine the experience.

4. Use sensory-rich language

For example, while reading books (e.g., I see a brown dog, it looks like it feels fluffy, it’s in the water, it is so wet!)

5. Limit things like flashcards and screen time

Think about how many sensory experiences a child is getting with an apple on a screen or a flashcard? Just one- seeing! This can still be meaningful and have a place in daily life. Everyone needs some break time, but don’t let screen time or flashcards take place of time focusing on meaningful play and sensory experiences.

6. If your kids our older and learning more from classes and books, use sensory-rich language.

For example, instead of “what did you do in science today?” You could ask, “What did you see/smell/feel in science today?” Instead of, “they signed the Declaration of Independence,” talk about what it must have been like to sign the Declaration of Independence. What did the room look and feel like? Who was there? What were they wearing? Help them to create a vivid picture in their imagination. The language we model to our kids is important, but it is not the only important thing for learning new words. Keep in mind that multisensory experiences support language development. Seek out multisensory experiences when you can to support learning and have fun seeing, touching, tasting, hearing, and smelling the world with your kids!