Physical/Kinesthetic Learning Style

Strengths of Kinesthetic Learners

Kinesthetic learners have many strengths that will help them achieve success in the classroom:

• Great hand-eye coordination

• Quick reactions

• Excellent motor memory (can duplicate something after doing it once)

• Excellent experimenters

• Good at sports

• Perform well in art and drama

• High levels of energy

Kinesthetic Learning Tips for Teachers

Kinesthetic learners need to move their bodies in order to learn. These students are often called "fidgety," and some teachers might interpret their behavior as distracted or bored. However, a kinesthetic learner's movement does not imply a lack of attention—in fact, it means that they're trying to process information in the most effective possible way. Try these strategies for reaching kinesthetic learners in your classroom:

• Allow kinesthetic learners to stand, bounce their legs, or doodle during lectures. You will get more out of them in class if they can move around a little bit.

• Offer various methods of instruction—lectures, paired readings, group work, experiments, projects, plays, etc.

• Ask your kinesthetic learners to complete relevant tasks during the lecture, like filling out a worksheet or taking notes.

• Allow kinesthetic learners to perform movement tasks before and after lectures, like handing out quizzes, writing on the chalkboard, or even rearranging desks.

• If you feel the kinesthetic learners slipping away from you in class, pause the lecture and have the whole class do something energetic: marching, stretching, or switching desks.

• Keep your lectures short and sweet! Plan several different activities throughout each class period in order to be mindful of all your students' learning styles.