Kinesthetic Learners

Did you know that some students learn best through movement? These students are called kinesthetic learners. Kinesthetic learning is a type of learning where a person learns best by doing things rather than just hearing or seeing the information. 

Teachers and parents can help these types of learners learn by using different teaching methods and providing opportunities for physical activity. 

WHAT IS A KINESTHETIC LEARNER?

There are different learning styles and preferences that students bring into the classroom. Some students prefer to learn by listening to lectures, some by reading texts, and others by seeing demonstrations. However, there is another learning style that is often overlooked: kinesthetic learning. 

Kinesthetic learners are active participants in their learning process. They prefer to learn through hands-on activities and experience rather than passively listening or watching. In the classroom, kinesthetic learners often benefit from opportunities to move around, take breaks, and work with their hands. By taking into account the needs of kinesthetic learners, teachers can create a more inclusive learning environment that meets the needs of all students.

WHAT ARE THE BEST WAYS TO TEACH A KINESTHETIC LEARNER?

Kinesthetic learners are those who learn best through physical movement. They benefit from being active participants in their own learning, and they often respond well to multi-sensory teaching methods. When it comes to teaching kinesthetic learners, there are a few key things to keep in mind.

Physical movement should be incorporated into the lesson as much as possible. This might mean incorporating hands-on activities, allowing for frequent breaks to move around, or using physical props to help illustrate concepts. 

Kinesthetic learners need to be given the opportunity to be active participants in their own learning. This means allowing them to experiment and explore, and giving them plenty of opportunities to practice what they’re learning. 

It’s important to use a variety of teaching methods with kinesthetic learners. This might include using demonstrations, telling stories, or creating games. By using a variety of methods, you’ll ensure that all kinesthetic learners have the opportunity to learn in a way that is best for them.

EXAMPLES OF KINESTHETIC LEARNING

If you have students with a kinesthetic learning style, they learn best by doing. Any hands-on activities are beneficial since they may struggle with passive activities like listening to lectures or watching demonstrations. Luckily, there are lots of ways to incorporate kinesthetic learning into school work. 

Here are some examples:

Puzzles: Working on puzzles is a great way to engage your kinesthetic learning style. Not only do you have to use your hands to put the pieces together, but you also have to think critically to figure out how they fit.

Sticky notes: Sticky notes are another great tool for kinesthetic learners. You can use them to take notes during lectures or lessons, and then stick them up around your room as a reminder. Or, you can use them to create mind maps or other visual aids. Check out these sticky note game ideas,

Clay: Clay is a great material for kinesthetic learners. You can use it to model concepts or create prototypes of ideas. Try using clay to form letters and numbers for young learners. Additionally, the act of molding and shaping the clay can be therapeutic and help you relax.

ACTIVITIES FOR KINESTHETIC LEARNERS

Kinesthetic learners learn best through physical movement. Incorporate physical movement into your lessons whenever possible. This might mean incorporating hands-on activities, allowing for frequent breaks to move around, or using physical props to help illustrate concepts.

Kinesthetic learners need to be given the opportunity to be active participants in their own learning. This means allowing them to experiment and explore, and giving them plenty of opportunities to practice what they’re learning. For example, using manipulatives like real coins for counting change in math class may be more beneficial than completing a worksheet. Another idea would be to add movement when learning skip counting.

Use a variety of teaching methods with kinesthetic learners. This might include using demonstrations, telling stories, or creating games. Try tossing a beach ball, tennis ball, or stress ball around the room while you are working on reviewing the material.

Allow kinesthetic learners to be physically active in class. Try stand-up desks, stationary bikes, break time for frequent movement, or embodied cognition concepts. One example would be to march in place while you are working on learning sight words.

HOW CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE KINESTHETIC LEARNERS IN THE CLASSROOM?

In traditional classrooms, students are often expected to sit still for long periods of time and absorb information passively. This can be difficult for a student who likes to move. For example, a student with ADHD may need frequent movement breaks to get their mind and body ready to learn. This would be an example of an accommodation for a kinesthetic learner in the classroom. 

In elementary school, for example, students can be given frequent opportunities to move around the room, use manipulatives, do hands-on activities with play dough, or even take breaks outside. 

In high school, assignments can be designed to allow students to be more hands-on, such as giving them the chance to conduct experiments or build models. 

Other options include:

• Use role play or dramatize concepts.
• Flexible seating
• Use body movement to help with memorization, such as snapping fingers, pacing, or mouthing words.
• Frequent study breaks to allow for movement
• Extended periods of time to complete assignments due to additional movement breaks throughout the day
• Use active learning strategies in your classroom.

It is important to always build upon a student’s strength. By taking into account individual learning styles, teachers can create an environment that is conducive to all types of learners.  

ARE THERE ANY DISADVANTAGES TO BEING A KINESTHETIC LEARNER?

There are both advantages and disadvantages to being a kinesthetic learner. Some advantages include that kinesthetic learners are often good at problem-solving and can be creative in their thinking. Additionally, kinesthetic learners often have good hand-eye coordination.

Kinesthetic learners may struggle with tasks that require them to sit still for long periods of time, such as taking a test or listening to a lecture. 

Additionally, kinesthetic learners may have difficulty with tasks that are entirely visual in nature, such as reading a map. If a lesson is entirely auditory in nature, such as listening to a speech, this too may be difficult.

Kinesthetic learners often need a combination of auditory, visual and kinesthetic cues in order to learn optimally. However, the world does not always accommodate kinesthetic learners since school settings, for example, are geared towards visual and auditory learners. 

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR STUDENT OR CHILD IF YOU THINK THEY MAY BE A KINESTHETIC LEARNER?

Despite the challenges that kinesthetic learners may face, there are ways to overcome them. By finding kinesthetic learning activities outside of the classroom, kinesthetic learners can continue to develop their skills. Additionally, many kinesthetic learners find that they are able to learn best when they combine kinesthetic and other learning activities. For example, a kinesthetic learner may need to read about a topic while also physically moving in order to understand it best. 

Being aware of your learning style is the first step in addressing any difficulties you may have in school or in other areas of life.

Read more here.

RELATED POSTS

Kinesthetic Deficits in Children with DCD

3 Evidence-Based Reasons to Incorporate Movement in the Classroom

Working on Handwriting? Try this Kinesthetic Learning Activity video.