Every child has a different learning style : auditory, visual and kinesthetic. Kinesthetic means a learning style that involves movement and hands-on experience. If your child loves to move and has a hard time sitting still while learning, they may be a kinesthetic learner!
Let’s understand this style and how to help them learn more effectively.
Auditory, Visual & Kinesthetic Learning Styles
Before we discuss kinesthetic tendencies, let’s first get to know the various types of learning styles which can be categorized into three main types:
1. Auditorium
- Learn by listening and talking.
- It is easier to memorize through songs or rhythms.
- Likes to hear reading aloud or review orally.
2. Visuals
- Easy to understand through pictures, charts or videos.
- Like to see illustrations and colors to focus more.
- It is easier to remember things by reading.
3. Kinesthetic
- Learn by touching, moving and doing physical activities.
- It’s hard to sit still for long periods of time.
- It is easier to understand a concept by doing experiments or practical activities.
Kinesthetic Meaning
Simply put, kinesthetic refers to a learning style that emphasizes physical movement as the primary way to understand something.
Kinesthetic learners tend to learn better when they can touch, move, or experience something practically.
For example, they find it easier to understand science concepts through experiments, learn math with blocks or physical objects, and memorize facts with hand or body movements.
Characteristics of Kinesthetic Children
How do you know if your child is a kinesthetic learner? Here are some signs you can look out for:
1. Difficulty Sitting Still
These children are often restless and have difficulty sitting still for long periods of time. They may like to wiggle their legs, play with pencils, or find something to hold on to while studying.
This is not because they are not focused, but because movement helps them absorb information better.
2. Learn Through Touch & Practical Experience
They find it easier to understand a concept when they can touch, feel or try it themselves.
For example, they may understand math concepts more quickly using a math block than just reading numbers on paper.
3. Tend to be Active in Sports & Physical Activities
Kinesthetic children are usually very active and like to do activities that involve movement such as running, dancing, swimming or playing ball.
They may also be inclined to join self-defense classes or extreme activities such as climbing and camping.
4. Likes to Use Hand Gestures & Body Movements When Talking
They often use hands or body movements to explain things.
If they are telling you something interesting, their hands will also move as if they are showing you something.
5. Get Bored Quickly With Traditional Learning Methods
Kinesthetic students are less likely to just sit quietly listening to lectures or reading textbooks without additional activities.
They may seem easily distracted or lose focus if the learning session is too passive and does not involve physical interaction.
Advantages of the Kinesthetic Learning Style
Children with this learning style have many advantages! Among them:
- Strong Memory . They easily remember something they physically do.
- Quickly Adapt to New Situations . More flexible in adapting because they are used to learning through experience.
- More Creative & Innovative . They like to explore and try new methods in solving problems.
- Enthusiastic & Energetic . This learning style makes them more active and less stressed in the learning process.
How Parents Support Children With Kinesthetic Learning Styles
If your child is a kinesthetic learner, here are some ways that can help them learn more effectively:
1. Use Interactive Learning Tools
Use learning materials that involve touch and movement such as flashcards , puzzles, three-dimensional models or educational toys.
For example, to teach them about human body systems, use a human body model that can be opened and closed to show internal organs.
2. Involve Physical Activity in Learning
Don’t limit them to just sitting and listening. Instead, let them use movement to help them understand things.
For example, if learning new words in English, encourage them to act out actions related to the word.
3. Give Space to Rest & Move
Avoid forcing them to sit still for too long as this can make them lose focus. Instead, provide adequate breaks or allow them to take a short walk before returning to studying .
This can help them focus more and absorb information better.
6. Use Interactive Technology & Applications
There are many educational apps designed specifically for kinesthetic learners such as interactive learning games that require them to physically engage.
For example, applications that use virtual reality (VR) can help them ‘feel’ a concept more deeply.
7. Encourage Learning Through Play
Games are one of the best ways for kinesthetic learners to learn because they involve physical activity and hands-on experience.
Games such as puzzles, memory games or outdoor activities such as treasure hunts can make learning more fun and effective.
Every child has a different learning style, and understanding kinesthetic means helps parents better adapt their child’s learning style.
If your child likes to move around while learning, don’t worry! Support them with more interactive and fun methods.
Learning doesn’t have to be just sitting and reading a book . With the right approach, kinesthetic children can learn more effectively and enjoy their learning process!
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Malaysia
