Kinesthetic learning (or kinaesthetic) is a hands-on, active approach where individuals learn best through physical movement, tactile experiences, and doing rather than passively listening or watching. Part of the VARK model, this style involves manipulating objects, role-playing, and using bodily sensations to understand, process, and retain information.
Kinesthetic learning, often called tactile learning, is a learning style centered on movement, touch, and physical interaction. Rather than passively absorbing information through reading or listening, kinesthetic learners thrive when actively engaging with the material.
Physical or kinesthetic: With this style of learning (which is extremely common for children with ADHD and other learning disabilities), the child prefers using their hands, body and sense of touch to learn. Verbal or linguistic: This style of learning involves the use of words, in both writing and speech.
The Body in Motion: They struggle to sit still for long periods and might fidget, tap their feet, or pace while learning. Masters of Play: They excel at physical activities, sports, and hands-on projects, readily absorbing information through doing.
While many children learn through multiple means of input, most children on the Autism Spectrum have one preferred primary learning style. For many autistic individuals, this primary style is kinesthetic learning.
Teaching kinesthetic learners requires a thoughtful and interactive approach that caters to their unique learning style. By incorporating hands-on activities, role-playing, and gamification, presenters can effectively engage kinesthetic learners, leading to improved understanding and retention of information.
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.
Students with ADHD tend to do best with instruction that targets multiple learning styles in a single lesson. In addition, hands-on learning is especially important for students with ADHD who often struggle with sitting still for long periods.
Use kinesthetic language such as, “Here's an example,” “It feels like this,” and “Watch this.” Create situations in which you are communicating while moving, such as taking a walk together, playing a sport or game, or dancing.
Many kinesthetic/tactile learners find that they must move during the learning process. You may want to walk to and fro while reading your assignment or even while working out problems. Some students like to rock back and forth. Others need to shift positions frequently.
There are three main cognitive learning styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. The common characteristics of each learning style listed below can help you understand how you learn and what methods of learning best fits you.
Gen Z learners generally prefer visual or kinesthetic learning styles that more closely align with their experiences growing up in the digital age (Shorey et al., 2021). Using strategies like gamification, graphics, diagrams, and simulation are helpful to learners who prefer visual or kinesthetic learning.
Studies have shown that kinesthetic learners are sometimes diagnosed with ADHD because they were moving in and out of their seat a lot, they were unable to learn traditionally, and they would lose interest quickly.
