While the left and right side of our brain represent auditory and visual learning styles, there is one more learner that needs to be recognized. Kinesthetic learners, also known as tactile learners, represent those children that need to touch, see and move when they learn. Traditional classrooms, driven by lecture and large class sizes can be especially challenging for these learners. When we understand their need to be physically engaged, we can make adjustments to better accommodate these learners. Click HERE to take our quiz and find out if your child is a Kinesthetic learner!

Teaching that is heavily driven by lecture is difficult for the kinesthetic learner. These students need to keep their body engaged and moving while listening. At home they may dance while studying, listen to music, and act out what they need to remember. Kinesthetic learners work well with their hands, have strong hand-eye coordination and strong motor memory. These kids may be diagnosed “hyperactive” in a classroom that requires sitting still and listening.

Kinesthetic learners:

• Learn best by doing
• Need to see to learn
• Are most engaged when learning includes hands-on activity
• Remember when they recall what their body was doing
• May be considered “hyperactive” because of their need to move
• Prefer science labs to science class
• Enjoy physical activities, such as sports, theater and dance
• May struggle in school when learning does not involve doing

Your kinesthetic learner needs activities that allow them to be physically involved. While they need to move to learn, they also need to develop the ability to focus on the task at hand, organize a series of steps and communicate their thoughts. Look for activities that include physical movement, but also help them learn to control and quiet their bodies, learn while seeing and develop language and vocabulary skills.

Click HERE to find out if your child is a KINESTHETIC learner!

For more information on how learning styles affect education outcomes and ways to help your kinesthetic learner, check out my new book, Being Visual (released September 2012).

Bette Fetter Founder and CEO of Young Rembrandts and Author of Being Visual [email protected] Follow Bette on Twitter