Kinesthetic Learning

Kinesthetic learning is a learning style by which students learn through movement. This differs from those learners that can sit and listen to a lecture or just see or read about a concept and grasp it. About 15% of the population are kinesthetic learners. Most of us however, learn best if we are able to use auditory, sensory and visual learning all in one. Most people have a dominant learning style but we all use every style.

For instructors it can be easy to get in a rut where they only teach in one learning style for the most part. This can be very hard on the students so it is a good idea for teachers to purposely try to integrate all teaching styles into their lessons.

If you suspect that you or one of your students is a kinesthetic learner here are a few of the traits that you may see:

• can't sit still for a long period of time, needs to get up and move
• most likely good at sports
• role playing is fun, handwriting is not
• likes martial arts, dancing, gymnastics
• has to take several homework or study breaks
• does better studying or learning in short blocks
• does well learning in labs, field trips, hands on
• studies well with others

To help accommodate these tactile learners you can try some of the following in your curriculum:

• role play, skits, performance
• get up and move or dance
• build models
• use different colors and textures in presentations
• provide balls or clay for use
• use scented markers, stickers or something for cross sensory
• get up and stretch periodically