At FinnBooks, we believe reading should feel magical—and that starts with understanding how young readers learn best. One powerful approach backed by the Science of Reading and brain research is sensory-based learning.
This playful method taps into a child’s natural curiosity by engaging multiple senses—making letters more memorable and reading more fun. 🧠📚
🧠 Why Sensory-Based Learning Works
Reading is more than just recognizing letters on a page—it's a multisensory experience. When children see, hear, touch, and move through letter activities, they create stronger, more lasting connections in the brain.
This multisensory approach is a key part of structured literacy, which helps beginning readers by combining visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile learning.
Brain science shows that the more senses involved, the more powerful and durable the learning becomes. 💪
🐾 4 Easy Sensory Activities to Try at Home
Here are some fun, science-backed ways to bring sensory letter learning into your daily routine:
1. ✋ Trace and Say
Have your child trace letters with their finger while saying the sound aloud.
🧠 This engages visual, motor, and auditory systems—boosting memory and sound recognition.
2. 🎨 Finger-Paint Letters
Let kids form letters using finger paint, shaving cream, or even salt trays.
🌈 This combines tactile and visual learning (and adds a splash of fun!).
3. 🔤 Build Words with Magnetic Letters
Use letter tiles or magnets to build simple words together.
🔠 Handling physical letters supports kinesthetic learning and reinforces letter shapes and sounds.
4. 🕺 Move and Make Sounds
Clap, stomp, or jump with every letter sound.
💃 Adding motion links muscle memory to phonics, making learning stick.
📖 Keep Books Within Reach
Make it easy for kids to grab a book anytime—place them in baskets, low shelves, or even a tote bag for the car.
When books are accessible, kids are more likely to explore them independently.
Bonus tip: Keep your signed FinnBooks copy in a special spot to build excitement around reading time! 💙🐾
🎯 Start Simple, Grow Confidence
As your child becomes more comfortable with letters and sounds, you can slowly reduce the sensory “scaffolding” and let them read with more independence. Just like training wheels on a bike, sensory tools help build balance first.
Above all—keep it joyful. Pair these tips with storytime using your FinnBooks Home Library and watch your little reader light up!
💬 Tell Us: Which Tip Will You Try First?
Have a favorite sensory activity of your own? Or want more tips tailored to your child’s reading journey? Drop us a note—we’d love to hear from you.
📚 Explore the full FinnBooks Home Library