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Key Questions About Kinestemas®

An innovative approach to improving language and literacy

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What are Kinestemas® and what was their primary objective?

Kinestemas® were an innovative pedagogical method created by Aurora Palomar Vázquez that integrates articulatory movements (kinesthesia) with phonoarticulatory sensations to improve language in individuals with hearing impairment. Their primary objective was to help students with hearing difficulties understand speech characteristics and enhance their articulation and oral communication from childhood.

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Who developed the current Kinestemas®, and for what educational needs are they used?

The current Kinestemas®, developed by Andrés Marín based on Aurora Palomar's original idea, are an inclusive educational tool. Initially used to facilitate speech learning from the earliest stages of listener attention, their application has now expanded to multisensory reading and writing programs for children aged 36 months mental age and older.

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What is LEK?

LEK, an acronym for Lectura y Escritura por Kinestema® (Reading and Writing by Kinestema®), is a program marketed in Spain that combines educational materials and teacher training. It's designed to use Kinestemas® in the literacy process, adapting to the needs of any learner. It's also available in Catalan.

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What is Kinestem® Program?

It is the adaptation of the LEK program for Spanish speakers in the United States, aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) educational standards.

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What is the fundamental basis of Kinestemas® and how does it benefit learning?

Kinestemas® are fundamentally based on the integration of multiple sensory channels (multisensoriality). This enhances memory and attention, which is crucial for literacy acquisition. By combining sensory stimuli, the connection between letters, sounds, and meanings is improved, optimizing attention and memory processes.

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How is a Kinestema® applied in practice?

Implementing a Kinestema® to teach a phoneme or its written representation, such as /a/, involves several steps that integrate different sensory modalities. This includes auditory, visual, kinesthetic, haptic, and proprioceptive pathways, creating a rich and multisensory learning experience.

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How are Kinestemas® classified and what type of phonemes does each category cover?

Kinestemas® are classified into three main types, depending on the nature of the phoneme:

• Continuous Kinestemas®: These allow for the prolongation of the phoneme, such as the vowel /a/, facilitating concentration on the relationship between production and sensation.

• Forced Kinestemas®: These require articulatory adaptations to prolong phonemes that typically cannot be extended (e.g., the phoneme /d/ when prolonged as [ð]).

• Brief Kinestemas®: These are intrinsically transient and cannot be prolonged (e.g., the plosive /k/). They are introduced in advanced stages of learning.

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What benefits does multimodal perception offer in the context of Kinestemas®?

Multimodal perception facilitates the integration of diverse sensory stimuli in the brain. By utilizing this capacity, Kinestemas® support students in understanding oral and written language, enhance memory and attention, and offer a dynamic and effective approach to learning.