Kinesthetic Learning: Definition and Examples

Kinesthetic learning, or tactile learning, is all about hands-on experiences. While it might seem like we’re all hooked on our screens, a kinesthetic approach can be a great, physical way to engage with what we are learning. It’s the perfect approach for those who learn best by doing.

It is one of the four main learning styles described by the VARK model. The four learning styles are Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic. While the concept of learning styles remains popular with educators and students, it is important to note that research has found that learning according to your preferred style does not appear to affect educational outcomes.

Key Takeaways

• Kinesthetic learning involves acquiring new information by engaging in physical activities and hands-on tasks; it is often contrasted with passive methods like listening or watching.
• Some examples of kinesthetic learning include building models, role-playing, conducting experiments, interactive games, field trips, using physical objects, and incorporating movement.
• A kinesthetic approach can be a great way to improve retention and engagement. It’s a good approach for people who might struggle with traditional learning methods. Plus, it can help foster better real-world problem-solving skills.
• Kinesthetic learning can have some downsides. For example, it can be difficult to implement in traditional settings, requires significant time and resources, and may not suit all students.

What Is Kinesthetic Learning?

Kinesthetic learning, also known as tactile learning, is a style of learning where individuals absorb information best through physical activities rather than passive methods like listening to a lecture or watching a demonstration. It involves engaging the body through hands-on tasks, movement, and touch, allowing learners to understand and retain concepts by doing rather than just observing.

Common examples include building models, conducting experiments, or participating in role-playing activities. This approach is especially beneficial for learners who find it easier to process information when they’re actively involved in the learning process.

Kinesthetic learners understand and retain information best through physical activities.

This is more effective than using passive methods like listening or watching. This approach emphasizes the importance of movement, hands-on tasks, and real-world interactions in the learning process.

Instead of sitting still and absorbing information through lectures or reading, kinesthetic learners prefer to engage with the material actively. They might use their hands to manipulate objects, participate in role-playing scenarios, or even move around the room while processing information. This approach utilizes the body’s natural ability to learn through doing, which can be a great way to make abstract concepts more concrete and easier to understand.

In educational settings, kinesthetic learning is especially effective for students who find staying engaged with traditional methods challenging. While visual learners benefit from diagrams and auditory learners excel with lectures, kinesthetic learners need to get physically involved to truly grasp the material.

Tactile learning can be helpful in subjects that benefit from hands-on experience, like science. Doing experiments allows students to experience concepts firsthand or in subjects like history, where role-playing can help bring historical events to life. Incorporating kinesthetic elements into lessons can help make learning experiences more inclusive.

Examples of Kinesthetic Learning

It can be helpful to look at ideas for tactile learning to find ways to incorporate them more into your own life. Even if you typically prefer learning through visual or auditory methods, research suggests that learning things in multiple ways is one of the best methods for acquiring new information.

Some examples of kinesthetic learning that you might want to try:

• Building models: Students can create physical models, such as using clay to represent cell structures in biology or constructing architectural models in design classes.
• Role-playing: Acting out historical events, practicing language conversations, or simulating real-world scenarios helps students learn through active participation.
• Hands-on experiments: In subjects like chemistry or physics, conducting experiments allows students to engage directly with the material and observe outcomes in real-time.
• Interactive games: Learning through movement-based games, like using a map on the floor to teach geography or playing math-related physical games, makes abstract concepts more tangible.
• Field trips: Visiting museums, historical sites, or nature reserves allows students to learn in a dynamic environment where they can interact with their surroundings.
• Physical objects: Using objects like blocks, beads, or tools to solve math problems or explore scientific principles offers a tactile learning experience.
• Art and craft projects: Engaging in creative activities like painting, sculpting, or crafting helps learners explore concepts through artistic expression and hands-on creation.
• Dance and movement: Incorporating movement, such as learning through dance, helps students connect physical action with concepts like rhythm, patterns, or cultural practices.

Benefits of Tactile Learning

Kinesthetic learning has many benefits that make it a helpful tool in education, work, and everyday life. Getting hands-on experience is often a great way to put what you’ve already learned into practice.

• Increased retention and comprehension: When students get hands-on with activities, they’re more likely to remember what they’ve learned because they’re actively involved. This method taps into sensory experiences and muscle memory, helping learners truly grasp the material.
• Increased engagement: For students who find traditional lectures boring or hard to follow, kinesthetic learning can make a subject come alive. It’s especially helpful for those who have high energy or struggle with focus. Neurodiverse learners who struggle to stay focused in traditional classroom experiences may find tactile learning more engaging. By incorporating movement and tactile experiences, students stay more interested and less likely to get distracted.
• Improved problem-solving: Kinesthetic learning also encourages problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking. These are all skills that help outside of the classroom.

Limitations and Challenges of Kinesthetic Learning

While kinesthetic learning has many benefits, it’s important to remember that it also has limitations.

• Tactile learning can be hard to implement: Schools often rely on lectures and written assignments, making it difficult to integrate hands-on activities for every subject.
• Not all students benefit equally: Physical activities can be engaging, but not all students benefit equally from this approach. Some may find it distracting or struggle to connect the hands-on experience with abstract concepts.
• It often requires a lot of time and resources: Tactile learning can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Setting up experiments, activities, or field trips requires planning and materials, which may not always be feasible.
• Tactile learning may not work in every environment: This approach may also not suit standardized testing environments, where students need to perform well on exams that focus on memorization rather than hands-on skills.

While kinesthetic learning is valuable, it’s important to balance it with other teaching methods to ensure all students succeed.

How to Use Kinesthetic Learning

Incorporating kinesthetic learning can be rewarding and effective with the right strategies. You can use these strategies to improve your own learning as well as to help teach others. Here are some tips to help you make the most of this approach:

• Start small: If you’re new to kinesthetic learning, incorporate simple activities. For example, use objects that can be manipulated in math class or have students act out scenes in history. Gradually add more complex tasks as you get comfortable.
• Integrate movement: Not every kinesthetic activity needs to be complicated. Encourage movement in the classroom by having students switch stations, work at standing desks, or use hand gestures while explaining concepts.
• Use real-world connections: Link lessons to real-world experiences. Field trips, outdoor activities, or even classroom simulations can make abstract concepts more understandable and relatable.
• Encourage collaboration: Kinesthetic activities often work well in group settings. Encourage teamwork through activities like building projects, role-playing, or solving problems together. This fosters both learning and social interaction.
• Be flexible: Understand that not every student will respond the same way to kinesthetic learning. Offer a variety of activities to cater to different preferences and allow students to choose the methods that work best for them.
• Combine with other styles: While kinesthetic learning is effective, it’s most powerful when combined with other learning styles. Use visuals, audio, and reading alongside hands-on activities to create a well-rounded learning experience.

Start with simple activities, integrate movement, connect lessons to real-world experiences, encourage collaboration, be flexible, and combine kinesthetic methods with other learning styles.

Note

It’s important to remember that if you struggle to stay on task and are easily distracted, it might not just be a sign that you prefer kinesthetic learning. According to Houghton University, it might be a sign of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). If you think you might have ADHD, talk to your doctor or visit your school’s academic support services.

Sources:

Bhagat, A., Vyas, R., & Singh, T. (2015). Students awareness of learning styles and their perceptions to a mixed method approach for learning. International journal of applied & basic medical research, 5(Suppl 1), S58–S65. https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-516X.162281

Hernandez, J. E., Vasan, N., Huff, S., & Melovitz-Vasan, C. (2020). Learning styles/preferences among medical students: Kinesthetic learner’s multimodal approach to learning anatomy. Medical Science Educator, 30(4), 1633–1638. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-020-01049-1

Koohestani, H. R., & Baghcheghi, N. (2020). A comparison of learning styles of undergraduate health-care professional students at the beginning, middle, and end of the educational course over a 4-year study period (2015-2018). Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 9, 208. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_224_20