Elements of a Kinestema

 A kinestema in the LEK method or Kinestem Program consists of two fundamental parts:

1. Multisensory Information Set

This part of the kinestema is a complete representation of a phoneme that includes:

• The sum of all sensations and mental representations associated with the emission of a specific speech sound.
• Information from multiple senses:
  - Auditory: how the phoneme sounds
  - Visual: how the mouth looks when pronouncing it
  - Kinesthetic: what movements are made to produce it
  - Proprioceptive: how the speech organs feel when forming it
  - Tactile: what tactile sensations are experienced

Important characteristics:

• Goes beyond a simple gesture
• Encompasses all perceptions and sensations involved in sound production
• Allows the learner to mentally manipulate phonemes, facilitating metaphonological awareness practice

2. The Connector

The connector is the element that links the multisensory information with a specific letter:

• It is associated with a body part where the student feels the sensory information
• This body part "draws" the shape of the letter
• Transforms the letter from an abstract symbol to an icon representing concrete sensations for the student

Key benefit:

• The letter becomes an icon with a lower degree of abstraction, which significantly facilitates its reading and comprehension.
• The use of kinestemas makes learning to read more accessible and fun for children. Instead of seeing letters as abstract symbols, they associate them with concrete sensory experiences.

Note: Kinestema(tm) is marketed in the USA as the KINESTEMA PROGRAM and in Spain as the LEK method (Lectura y Escritura por Kinestemas(tm)).