Kinesthetic

Kinesthetic (Tactile) Learning Style

learn through moving, doing, and touching...
  • Take frequent study breaks
  • Work at a standing position
  • Listen to music while they study
  • Bring some “grip toy” to class to hold on to
  • Skim through reading material to get a rough idea of what it is about before sitting down to read it in detail
Kinesthetic learners learn best through a hands-on approach, actively exploring the physical world around them.

They may find it hard to sit still for long periods and may become distracted by their need for activity and exploration.

Traits

  • Likes physical rewards
  • In motion most of the time
  • Likes to touch people when talking
  • Taps pencil or foot when studying
  • Enjoys doing activities
  • Reading not a priority
  • Poor speller
  • Likes to solve problems by physically working through them
  • Will try new things
  • Outgoing by nature; expresses emotions by physical means
  • Uses hands while talking
  • Dresses for comfort ​

Habits

  • Keep verbal discourse short and to the point. Actively participate in discussions.
  • Use your senses ­ sight, touch, taste, smell, and hearing.
  • Use direct involvement, physical manipulation, imagery, and "hands-on" activities to improve motivation, interest, and memory.
  • Organize information into the steps to physically complete a task.
  • Seek courses with laboratories, field trips, etc., and lecturers who give real-life examples.
  • Use case studies and applications (examples) to help with principles and abstract concepts.
  • Allow for physical action in solving problems.
  • Read or summarize directions, especially lengthy and complicated ones, to discourage starting a task without instructions.
  • Use taped reading materials.
  • Use practice, play-acting, and modeling to prepare for tests.
  • Allow for physical movement and periodic breaks during tests, reading, or composing written assignments.
  • Role-play the exam situation.
  • Teach the material to someone else.
  • Write practice answers, paragraphs, or essays.​

Spelling

Often is a poor speller; writes words to determine if they “feel” right.

Reading

Prefers stories where action occurs early; fidgets while reading; not an avid reader.

Handwriting

Good initially, but deteriorates when space becomes smaller; pushes harder on writing instrument.

Memory

Remembers best what was done, but not what was seen or talked about.

Imagery

Imagery not important; images that do occur are accompanied by movement.

Distractibility

Not attentive to visual or auditory presentation so may seem distracted.

Problem Solving

Attacks problem physically; impulsive; often selects solution involving greatest activity.

Response To Periods Of Inactivity

Fidgets or finds reasons to move.

Response To New Situations

Tries things out; touches, feels or manipulates.

Advice

  • Keep your desk clear of distracting objects.
  • Cover the page you’re not reading.
  • If you are distracted by noise, turn off the radio; wear earplugs or earphones in the learning center to block the noise.
  • If you want sound, listen to soft music.
  • Divide your work into short study sessions
  • Get a timer after 20 minutes or when a task is completed, give yourself a reward, a cookie, a walk around the block, listen to one song, etc.
  • Sit as close to the teacher as possible, or sit in the center of the room by quiet students.
  • When studying, use a multi-sensory approach (hearing, seeing, touching, and doing) as much as possible.
  • Get plenty of sleep.
  • Eat a nutritious breakfast and lunch.
  • Snack on fruit or nutritional food if you need extra energy.
  • Study in a carrel or an office with a desk for your textbooks and notebook.
  • Use models, real objects, and materials that can be touched and moved.
  • For example, learn geography through handling and studying a globe.
  • Draw what you are learning.
  • Trace spelling words as you practice them.
  • Record in writing information learned.
  • Keep a paper supply on hand.
  • When possible, role play, type, take notes or construct models to learn the information.​