Kinesthetic learners process information and solve problems most efficiently (and happily) when they can turn learning into a hands-on activity. You can use this knowledge to help your kinesthetic learner customize her study habits. By recognizing her learning type and focusing on her strengths, you can help her succeed—even in subjects she previously struggled with.
Try some of these teacher-tested learning styles strategies to help your kinesthetic learner boost her comprehension and retention.
Get a Grip on It
Whenever possible, help your child choose projects that let her use her hands. If she is studying the solar system, have her build a model of it. For social studies or history, have her locate the region being studied on a map or globe.
Take Center Stage
Urge your child to participate in science fairs, plays, and art shows so he can shine. If he is social, encourage him to volunteer to work with younger kids or help out at a local animal shelter. These types of activities will boost self-esteem and motivation.
Get More from Reading
- When she reads, prompt her to follow along with her fingers or a bookmark to boost comprehension. Also, encourage your child to use bright colors to underline, circle, and highlight new concepts.
- Have him rewrite relevant facts or key concepts in his own words. Jotting down main points of new material will help him retain information. Try having him record his notes on tape and listen to study during a long walk.
- Ham it up! Have her act out a passage from the book she is assigned or put on a skit to demonstrate what she is studying. Be her audience or better yet get in on the act and play a role yourself.
Give Her a Break
To help your child focus better and avoid getting bored, allow her to study in short time blocks (no more than thirty minutes at a time) and encourage her to do a physical activity during that break, such walking the dog or shooting some hoops.
Explore Together
Visit natural history museums, botanical gardens, and planetariums. Keep an eye out for exhibits or programs that relate to things he is learning in class. If he is learning about ancient Egypt, go to a museum to experience items from ancient Egypt firsthand.