Sensory Phonics

My first teacher at primary school in the 1970's was a very kind but strict lady!

Everyday the class would recite the alphabet parrot fashion until it was ingrained in our brains!

By the time we left her class that summer we could all recite the alphabet backwards!

Thankfully things have moved on!

In this blog I am going to explore how to teach phonics in a fun and engaging way through the senses.

For the purposes of this blog I will focus on the letter 'S' using the Letters & Sounds model.

Phonics Sensory Bag

Place a variety of items starting with the letter(s) you wish to teach into a non-see through bag or a pillowcase.

When choosing items think of engaging all the senses: Add items that stimulate the vision, tactile items that feel nice to the touch, items to smell and taste.

The learner selects items (one at a time) from the bag then uses their sense of smell, touch and taste to guess what the item is.

(If the learner is unsure then provide plenty of clues.)

Letter S items

Satsuma

Snake

Spaghetti

Salami

Straw

Soap

Strawberry

Stick

Sausage

Salmon

Sponge

Sunflower Seeds

Smoothie

Spinach

Sprout

Saucer

Sand

(Look through a toy chest for items: snail, spaceman, spinner, spider etc)

Build functional language skills.

Ask the learner to tell you or show you what you might do with the item and where you might find it.

(If the learner is unsure, model what to do with the item and encourage them to copy your action.)

Keep language simple.

Focus on phrases such as 'Choose' or 'Take one' when presenting the bag to the learner.

Focus on the name of the object e.g 'starfish', 'sponge', 'snake' and two-word phrases e.g. 'long snake', 'yellow sponge'.

Click Here to learn more about Sensory Bags.

Phonics Sensory Bin

A sensory bin/tray is a container filled with themed items that provide a calming activity and the opportunity to learn through exploration whilst engaging the senses and meeting sensory needs.

Click Here to learn more about Sensory Bins

Layer your tray/bin/box with sand,straw, sawdust, spaghetti or soil.

Scatter with items starting with the letter 'S'

Add fine motor tools :

Cups, spoons, forks, measuring jugs, colander, whisk, sieve, funnel, pipette, food tongs, wooden utensils, scoops, paintbrushes, chopsticks, moon dust (see recipe below)

Add items to encourage scientific investigation:

Torch, magnifying glass, magnets, pen/paper, egg carton/ice cube/cake baking tray for sorting items, plastic tweezers and a mirror.

Encourage mark making the letter 'S'

Phonics Listening Game

Listening games teach sound discrimination, promoting the development of language, communication and comprehension skills and increasing attention span.

Click Here to learn more about Sound Effects

A quick search on the internet will provide you with access to a library of free audio clips and sound effects that can be played via your phone, iPad, Kindle or recorded on a Dictaphone.

There are also sound effect apps available.

Can the listener imitate the sound using their voice?

Can the listener correctly identify the sound?

(Provide plenty of clues!)

Letter S Sounds

Snake

Sneeze

Sealion

Siren

Saxophone

Sniff

Snoring

Stream

Seagull

Seal

Storm

Squeak

Sea

Get Crafty!

Reinforce learning with craft activities:

Stuffed Sensory Sock Snakes

This is an excellent activity for encouraging hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and gives you the opportunity to model language as well as providing a wonderful sensory experience.

You will need:

Old Socks or Tights

A Filler: Straw/Sponges/Sand/Sawdust/Soil/Spaghetti (dried)

Stuff the socks with items from the list above then tie a knot in the end to secure.

Allow supervised free exploration of the snakes, they will differ in weight, length, smell and texture.

(Tip! Adding a few drops of essential oil to the fillers will enrich the experience)

Building learning

Explore the letters 's' 'a' t' 'p' individually then progress onto mixing the letters together adding props starting with all those letters into your bag.

Tip! Check understanding my add an item to the bag that does NOT begin with the letters 's' 'a' 't' 'p'

Teach the words

'a'

'at'

'as'

'sat'

'pin'

tap'

'pat'

'sip'

'sap'

'pit'

'tin'

Use a range of letter resources.

I like to teach using tactile props, it is fun and allows the learner to manipulate and explore the letters and make words without having to write them down.

Here are a few ideas:

Wooden letter tiles

(I bought these from ebay approx £.2.30)

Scrabble Board and tiles

(I bought mine secondhand from a charity shop)

Magnetic Letters on a baking tray.

Paint pebbles and write letters on them.

Use stickers with letters on.

Write in chalks on the patio/fence.

Write letters on recycled plastic milk bottle tops.

Mould letters using clay/plasticine or Play-Doh

Treasure Hunt

Look around the house for items starting with the letter you are learning.

Give plenty of clues!

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Health & Safety Advice & Disclaimer

Please Read Before Engaging in any of the Activities

• ​The author has used their best efforts in preparing the information on this website and makes no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness to the contents.

• The information is for pleasure purposes only.

• If you wish to apply any ideas and activities contained in this blog, on the website or in any of the multisensory stories or resources, you are wholly responsible and take full responsibility for your actions.

• ​The activities are designed to be led and supervised by a responsible adult at all times.

​​A Note on Allergies/Intolerances

• ​If you have any doubts regarding any activity or prop used, then seek advice before starting.​

• ​Be aware of potential choking hazards.

• Check the ingredients in any items you may be using for any potential food or skin allergies or respiratory reactions. If you see any signs of redness, swelling or other symptoms of a suspected reaction seek immediate medical advice.

• The interactions should be led by the sensory explorer who should be allowed to participate without expectation.

• ​Never force stimuli and stop the activity if the story explorer shows signs that they are not enjoying the session.

Your questions, queries, comments and feedback are always welcome!

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