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Kinesthetic Learning Strategies For U S Classrooms

Leo Migdal
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kinesthetic learning strategies for u s classrooms

Kinesthetic learning can offer an engaging and hands-on approach to education that can transform the classroom experience for students across the United States. For teachers and education professionals, understanding kinesthetic learning opens up new avenues for student engagement, inclusivity, and academic success. The kinaesthetic learning style – also known as tactile learning – is learning through ‘doing’. Many people learn best by doing an activity or experiencing a process hands-on. ‘Kinaesthesia’ is defined as awareness of the movement and positioning of body parts, and is central to this learning style. Kinaesthetic learners process more effectively using tactile learning techniques – and may become bored easily in a ‘traditional’ classroom setting and need frequent ‘brain-breaks’ or movement time.

They often enjoy being outside of the classroom, generally showing a love of outdoor learning, field trips and project work. Kinaesthetic learners may prefer subjects such as art, music and P.E., where physicality is a fundamental part of the subject. They may also be well suited to science, their learning preferences lending themselves to the physicality of conducting experiments. Kinesthetic learners thrive when their bodies are involved in the learning process. Their traits often include: Kinesthetic learning, also known as tactile learning, is a learning style in which individuals learn best through physical activities such as touching, moving, or performing hands-on tasks.

Kinesthetic learners are often described as hands-on learners who require active participation and physical engagement to understand and retain new information fully. They enjoy hands-on activities such as building, crafting and creating things. They also tend to doodle a lot while listening. Unlike other learning styles, such as auditory and reading/writing, where learners prefer to listen or read, kinesthetic learners prefer to learn by doing and experiencing. Today, we’ll explain everything educators need to know about kinesthetic learning. We’ll cover everything from benefits to characteristics and demonstrate real examples of how you can implement it.

According to Cambridge Dictionary, the word kinesthesia means knowing where the parts of your body are and how they are moving. It describes the type of learning that emphasizes physical activity and hands-on experiences as the primary means of learning and understanding new information. For kinesthetic learners, simply reading or listening to information may not be enough to fully comprehend or retain it. Instead, they must engage in hands-on experiences. For example, if you’re covering a topic on how to plant strawberries, you may read about it, watch instructional videos, and have group discussions. But, a kinesthetic learner will only understand and remember if you actually plant the strawberries.

Kinesthetic learning, often called tactile learning, is a highly effective educational method for many students, particularly those who struggle with traditional lecture-based teaching. Studies show that approximately 15-20% of learners identify as kinesthetic, meaning they learn best by engaging in hands-on activities, physical movement, or real-world experiences. Research from the National Training Laboratories suggests that learners retain up to 75% of information when actively participating in a task compared to only 10% through passive methods like reading or listening to lectures. In recent years, trends in education have increasingly embraced kinesthetic approaches, particularly in STEM fields and experiential learning programs. With the rise of project-based learning (PBL) and maker spaces in schools, kinesthetic learners now have more significant opportunities to thrive. Additionally, the shift towards incorporating augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) tools has enhanced hands-on learning by simulating real-world environments, further engaging students in interactive and immersive ways.

These trends highlight the growing recognition of movement and active participation as crucial elements in modern education. Kinesthetic learning is one of four different learning styles in the VARK model. The VARK model is a framework used to describe different learning styles. It was developed by Neil Fleming in the late 1980s, and it categorizes learners into four main categories based on their preferred learning method. The four learning styles in the VARK model are: As mentioned, kinesthetic learners learn through real-life experiences and physical activity.

They tend to learn best by doing, touching, and manipulating objects. Kinesthetic learners enjoy acting out scenarios, which helps them better understand the material and apply it to real-world situations. Kinesthetic learning takes place in normal daily life too. For instance, imagine wanting to learn how to ride a bike. No amount of instructions will help as much as getting on the bike, falling a few times, and learning how to maneuver the whole process. The table below shows the differences between a kinesthetic learner and a visual learner.

Kinesthetic LearnersVisual Learners A visual learner tends to grasp information he sees, but an auditory learner's comprehension improves when she can listen. A third style of learning is kinesthetic, or tactile. A kinesthetic learner most prefers hands-on learning. He wants to be an active participant in the lesson plan, and his retention improves when he is standing or moving. Teachers with kinesthetic learners can use a few simple strategies that will aid in their success rate.

Projects and labs that offer hands-on learning opportunities work best for kinesthetic learners. Performing a science experiment will help them understand the process as well as the outcome. Literature that is acted out in a play has a much more profound impact than reading it. If your kinesthetic learner is apprehensive about acting in front of an audience, assign her projects making scenery, props or costumes. Math problems that can be tackled and solved as a group project will offer better results than working alone. If reading is the only option for a particular lesson, allow your kinesthetic learner to stand, hold the book, read aloud or simply move some body parts while reading.

These simple gestures will increase her retention of the subject matter. Introduce material through a variety of multimedia to better engage your kinesthetic learners. They will comprehend material that they research on a computer more than if they read it from a book. The use of chalkboards, whiteboards and smart boards will all help, especially if you invite the student to write on them as well. Lessons taught in the form of games increase retention rates. Have students videotape a lesson plan or take pictures to create a storyboard.

Encourage them to cut and paste pertinent articles from newspapers or magazines. Movement is key to a kinesthetic learner. Lesson plans that are made up of several different parts can be staged throughout the classroom. Students can move from stage to stage, digesting each portion individually. Role-playing is an excellent form of learning for a tactile learner. It can be used for characters from history or literature.

Assign research projects that culminate in an oral report to the class. Encourage the use of props such as handmade posters or models. The seating plan in your classroom plays an important role in the learning abilities of your kinesthetic students. Seating these students in the front of the room gives them the opportunity to be more engaged when you present a lesson. Allowing your kinesthetic learners to stand or move while learning will greatly improve their comprehension of the material, though it should not be disruptive to other students. Engage them in class discussions and encourage them to ask and answer questions.

Explain the different learning styles to your class so the students can better manage their own styles as well as be compassionate toward students with differing styles. Schedule short, frequent breaks to allow students to stretch or walk. Are you struggling to keep students engaged in the classroom? You’re not alone. Many learners thrive in ways that traditional teaching methods often overlook. For educators seeking to create inclusive and effective learning environments, understanding different learning styles is essential.

One such style is kinesthetic learning — a hands-on, movement-based approach to absorbing information. Unlike visual or auditory learners, kinesthetic learners engage best when they can touch, move, and experience the material directly. Think of the student who eagerly volunteers for science experiments, enjoys building models, or learns math concepts better through physical manipulatives. These learners bring energy and creativity to the classroom, often excelling when lessons involve movement and real-world application. Recognizing and supporting kinesthetic learning can foster deeper comprehension, improve academic performance, and make learning a more enjoyable experience for everyone. By implementing kinesthetic strategies, teachers can enhance student engagement and create a more dynamic learning environment.

Let’s explore what makes kinesthetic learners unique, how to identify them, and how educators can adapt their teaching methods to help these learners thrive. Kinesthetic learner definition: Learners who absorb information best through physical activity, movement, and hands-on experiences. Classroom strategies: Incorporate activities like role-playing, experiments, and hands-on projects to keep kinesthetic learners engaged. Kinesthetic learners, characterized by their preference for tactile experiences, physical activity, and hands-on engagement, represent a significant portion of the student population. Effectively catering to this learning style requires a departure from traditional pedagogical models and an embrace of techniques that leverage their inherent strengths. This article delves into the specifics of supporting kinesthetic learners, emphasizing the integration of technology and innovative teaching strategies that optimize their learning outcomes.

Understanding the Kinesthetic Learning Modality Kinesthetic learning, also referred to as tactile learning, involves processing information through physical movement, touch, and active participation. Unlike auditory or visual learners, kinesthetic learners internalize concepts most effectively when physically interacting with the subject matter. This learning style correlates with heightened spatial reasoning and a preference for activities that engage multiple senses. Key characteristics include: To better illustrate the distinctions between learning styles, consider the following comparison:

Implementing Kinesthetic Learning Strategies: A Technology-Forward Approach [i] Podnar, H., Novak, D., & Radman, I. (2018). “Effects of a 5-minute Classroom-Based Physical Activity on On-Task Behavior and Physical Activity Levels.” Kinesiology, 50(2), 251-259. https://doi-org.ezproxy.uakron.edu:2443/10.26582/k.50.2.17[ii] Kuczala, M., & McCall, J. (2011).

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