Exploring Tactile Techniques in Orton-Gillingham Instruction
The Orton-Gillingham approach is widely respected for its structured, explicit, and multisensory techniques designed to assist individuals, particularly children, with dyslexia in learning to read, write, and spell. One of the core elements of this approach is its emphasis on using sensory inputs — visual, auditory, and tactile — to facilitate effective learning. Tactile learning activities, or kinesthetic learning, involve physical activities that help reinforce the material being taught. Incorporating tactile techniques into Orton-Gillingham instruction can significantly enhance learning experiences and outcomes for students. Here, we explore some key tactile techniques that can be integrated into Orton-Gillingham sessions.
Top 10 Tactile Techniques for Enhancing Orton-Gillingham Instruction
- Sand Tray Writing: A classic activity in the Orton-Gillingham approach, sand tray writing involves having the student write letters and words in a tray of sand. This provides a multi-sensory experience that integrates visual, tactile, and kinesthetic elements. The feel of the sand against their fingers as they draw helps solidify the shapes of the letters and words in their memory.
- Letter Formation with Play Dough: Play dough can be a fantastic tool for forming letters and words. The act of rolling, squeezing, and shaping the dough into letters helps students engage multiple senses as they learn the form of each letter, creating a deeper imprint in their memory.
- Use of Manipulatives for Phoneme Segmentation: Tactile manipulatives such as small blocks or beads can be moved to represent sounds in words, aiding in phoneme segmentation. This technique helps students physically see and touch the components of words, enhancing their understanding of how letters and sounds combine to form words.
- Arm Tapping: Arm tapping is a technique where students tap out the sounds of words on their arm, moving from the shoulder down to the hand. This physical movement, aligned with the sounds of the words, helps reinforce phonemic awareness and the sequence of sounds in a physical and memorable way.
- Tracing Letters and Words: Using textured surfaces such as fabric or sandpaper, students trace letters and words with their fingers. This method allows them to feel the shape and flow of the letters, which helps to anchor the information in their sensory memory.
- Building Words with Letter Tiles: Letter tiles are an excellent tactile tool for constructing words. By physically manipulating the tiles to form words, students can better understand letter placement and word structure, which is crucial for both reading and spelling.
- Graphomotor Exercises: These exercises involve drawing and writing paths and patterns that mimic the strokes of letter formation. Such activities not only enhance fine motor skills but also help students internalize the physical motions used in writing letters.
- Use of a Finger Pointer: When reading, using a finger or a pointer stick to track text helps students physically connect with each word and sound, improving reading fluency and preventing skipping over words or lines.
- Interactive Writing Surfaces: Switching up writing surfaces and instruments, such as using chalk on a blackboard or markers on a whiteboard, offers different tactile experiences that can help invigorate learning and make the act of writing more engaging.
- Patterned Letter Practice: Using materials like glitter glue or fabric paint, students can create letters with various textures. Once dry, these textured letters provide a unique sensory experience when touched, reinforcing letter recognition through tactile means.
Integrating tactile techniques in Orton-Gillingham instruction not only adheres to the method's multisensory roots but also significantly enriches the learning experience. These methods engage students on multiple levels, helping to anchor reading, writing, and spelling concepts more deeply within their learning processes. With tactile activities, students often find greater joy and less frustration in their learning journeys, encouraging a more positive and productive educational environment.
For educators and practitioners of the Orton-Gillingham approach, these tactile techniques offer dynamic tools to enhance instruction. Each technique taps into different sensory experiences, catering to varied learning styles and needs. By skillfully integrating these tactile activities into their teaching repertoire, educators can provide a more comprehensive, engaging, and effective learning experience tailored to the specific needs of students with dyslexia or other learning differences.