Kinesthetic Learners

Sometimes students need to move throughout a learning experience because that’s the kind of learner they are—one who learns through movement.

All students need hands-on experiences, but tactile, or kinesthetic, learners have trouble learning effectively without them. Kinesthetic learners learn best by doing, rather than by seeing or hearing. They literally need to touch and feel the learning experience.

Virtual learning during the CoVid pandemic was especially difficult for these students because online learning uses video and audio as the primary means of communicating information.

Tactile learners often struggle in classes that rely on speaking and reading. Use these final weeks of summer to prep your student by talking about learning styles and the strengths and weaknesses of each. Here’s a link to a simple resource with TIPS for each modality:

Here are a few ideas to get your student learning through movement:

• Art-loving students can try an art day camp this summer. If your child’s school doesn’t offer art, look for classes at local art schools.

• Dance and acting classes and experiences provide lots of movement and fun.

• Check with your local Home Depot for Saturday morning building projects for kids.

• STEM exploration sets like marble runs, robots, circuit boards, physics and chemistry sets offer hands-on experiential learning

• Doodling and fidget spinners can keep hands busy. Get permission for school use.

• Have them create flash cards. Then, take a walk together and quiz them in action.