Sensory Stimulation: How We Use Sensory Experiences to Teach Complex Topics
Educational and Fun Activities
Written by George Hall
06 November 2024
🕓 8 min
At The Science of Sound, we believe that learning isn’t limited to sight and sound alone; sensory stimulation engages children in new ways, making complex scientific concepts more accessible and enjoyable. Sensory learning allows children to interact with the material directly, transforming abstract ideas into memorable experiences. Our sensory-stimulation-based approach involves hands-on experiments, guided explorations, and multi-sensory setups that help break down intricate scientific concepts—like rapid combustion, absorption, and sound reflection—into practical, understandable elements for children aged 5 to 12.
Sensory stimulation taps into the brain’s natural curiosity, helping children to not only understand scientific principles but also retain that knowledge more effectively. By making learning an immersive experience, we create a welcoming environment where children are excited to participate, learn, and explore. From feeling the heat in rapid combustion experiments to seeing sound waves reflect visually, sensory approaches at The Science of Sound ensure that children experience science in a way that is intuitive, memorable, and fun.
Rapid Combustion: Engaging with Energy and Reaction Through the Senses:
Rapid combustion is a topic often encountered in chemistry and physics, yet it can be difficult for children to grasp solely through explanations or textbook diagrams. By engaging in sensory learning, we bring combustion experiments into an accessible context that allows children to witness the energy release firsthand. We use controlled and safe demonstrations to showcase rapid combustion, which not only sparks excitement but also allows students to observe the key characteristics of the reaction—heat, light, and sound.
While the term “sensory deprivation” may sound negative, this practice isn’t designed to create stress. On the contrary, sensory deprivation is often employed to induce relaxation and mental clarity, particularly for those experiencing high levels of sensory overload in their daily lives. When external stimuli are removed, the brain can focus inward, resulting in a heightened awareness of thoughts and emotions. For children, however, sensory deprivation practices would be carefully modified to ensure they are comfortable and not overwhelmed.
For example, a controlled, rapid-combustion experiment like igniting a small piece of flash paper helps children understand the concept of combustion. Children are able to see the reaction happen almost instantaneously, feel the slight warmth, and hear the small “whoosh” sound that accompanies it. This multi-sensory experience brings the abstract concept of rapid energy release to life in a way that feels tangible. Through these demonstrations, children learn about the conditions necessary for combustion to occur, the role of oxygen, and the nature of exothermic reactions.
Additionally, these sensory-rich demonstrations often lead to questions that encourage deeper exploration, such as “Why does the reaction happen so quickly?” or “How does temperature affect the rate of combustion?” Engaging their curiosity helps children gain a more profound understanding of the science behind the reaction and opens doors to related topics, like energy conservation and fire safety.
Absorption: Understanding How Materials Interact with Sound and Light:
Absorption is a concept that is foundational in physics, often appearing in topics related to both sound and light. When we explore absorption at The Science of Sound, we design activities where children can experiment with materials to see how they absorb or repel sound waves and light, helping them understand this concept in real time. For example, using different types of fabrics, foam, and hard surfaces, we illustrate how some materials absorb sound while others reflect it. This setup allows children to witness how sound changes when it interacts with different materials, making the topic of absorption more relatable.
One theory behind sensory deprivation’s benefits is that the brain has a limited capacity for processing information at any one time. In everyday life, we constantly receive sensory input, from visual images to auditory information, which the brain processes continuously. Removing this input gives the brain a break, allowing it to allocate energy toward other processes, such as emotional regulation or problem-solving. The lack of external sensory information allows the brain to shift its focus inward, often leading to heightened self-awareness and introspection.
To explore light absorption, we might use coloured materials and encourage children to observe how each absorbs or reflects light differently. Using heat-sensitive materials and infrared cameras, they can directly see which materials absorb more energy and which reflect it. This interaction demonstrates the principle of absorption in an unforgettable way, showing how different objects respond uniquely to both sound and light. Additionally, our sensory exercises with absorption link to real-life applications, such as understanding why certain materials make rooms feel warmer or why soundproofing materials are effective.
These sensory-based experiments lay a foundation for deeper understanding, as children observe and interact with real examples. With hands-on exercises, children are more likely to grasp the science behind how energy behaves, why certain surfaces absorb sound or heat, and the practical reasons behind these principles.
Sound Reflection: Exploring Echoes and Reverb in Sound Waves
Sound reflection is another topic that benefits greatly from a sensory-stimulation approach. Sound reflection occurs when sound waves bounce off surfaces and return to the listener, creating phenomena like echoes and reverb. We make sound reflection accessible by using interactive sound stations where children can experience sound waves firsthand. Using microphones, speakers, and sound-reflective materials, we demonstrate how sound behaves in various environments, allowing children to explore the science behind echoes and sound wave manipulation.
For instance, when experimenting with a speaker and a reflective surface, children can hear the sound bouncing back, creating an echo. By changing the angle of the surface, they can see how this affects the sound reflection, teaching them how surfaces and distances influence sound behavior. This hands-on experiment makes the scientific principles behind sound waves tangible and fun, and by adjusting the environment, they can observe how sound changes in different spaces. We also integrate our digital audio workstations, like Presonus Studio One, where children can manipulate sound reflections digitally, reinforcing their understanding of sound waves.
The sensory-based exploration of sound reflection helps children understand everyday occurrences, such as why their voice echoes in certain spaces or how soundproofing works. By observing sound waves and reflections, children come to appreciate the science behind the sounds they encounter daily, bridging the gap between abstract science and real-world experiences.
Conclusion: Transforming Complex Science into Accessible, Memorable Learning
Through sensory stimulation, The Science of Sound takes complex scientific concepts and turns them into accessible, engaging learning experiences. By exploring rapid combustion, absorption, and sound reflection, children engage their senses to build a genuine understanding of science, making the learning experience both memorable and meaningful. Sensory-based education ensures that learning isn’t just about absorbing information; it’s about exploring, questioning, and discovering.
For parents and educators seeking interactive ways to teach science, sensory stimulation offers an effective method that resonates with children. By connecting sound, light, and movement with hands-on experiences, we make science something to be felt, seen, and heard. Children who enjoy these explorations are encouraged to join us at The Science of Sound, where learning becomes an adventure, and every session is a step toward deeper understanding and curiosity. Whether through after-school programmes or holiday camps, our sensory-stimulated science sessions ensure that learning is never limited to paper and pencil alone—it’s an experience to be remembered.
