Kinesthetic Learning

What is Kinesthetic Learning?

Simply put, kinesthetic learning is “learning by doing”. As parents and instructors, we know that playing is what infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and young school age children do best! So Kinesthetic learning for an infant, toddler, preschooler, or young school age child is “learning by playing”.

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Children have an innate enthusiasm for learning. Learning takes place when the child is in an absolutely positive state of mind. Kinesthetic learning focuses on whole body and whole brain learning. Children learn best by moving, wiggling, exploring, and playing. Kinesthetic learning is directed play.

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How Does Kinesthetic Learning Work?

Kinesthetic learning engages the child’s whole mind and whole body. Research has shown that kinesthetic activities contribute to the development and enhancement of critical neuro-biological systems, including cognition, emotions, immune, circulatory, and perceptual-motor. Exercise and movement increase blood flow, boost levels of brain cell–growth hormone, and have been shown to have a positive effect on the mood altering chemicals of the brain. The chemicals that are released during exercise help the body focus, increase attention, and makes the body feel better. All these factors help create the perfect atmosphere for learning.

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Why Does Kinesthetic Learning Work?

All children start as kinesthetic learners and best master new information through physical activities that require them to move their bodies. Movement is needed to stimulate learning and thinking. When a child moves he activates areas in the brain that are used for learning and thinking. Incorporating movement and physical activities when teaching a young child strengthen both hemispheres of the brain.

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What is Tactile Learning?

Tactile learning is almost always joined with the kinesthetic learning. Both styles involve bodily movement, and are very similar, but the tactile style is more moderate. it involves the sense of touch, and fine motor movements, rather than the large, whole-body movements seen in the kinesthetic learning style. The Tactile Learning Style takes in information through the sense of touch and feeling, and generally has good eye-hand coordination.

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People with a tactile learning style have active hands. They fiddle with knobs and buttons, explore objects, examining and evaluating traits of objects. When in a store, persons with a tactile learning style may feel like they have to touch, and explore many objects to 'understand' the characteristics of the object.

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Hand-on learning is the primary method for teaching tactile learners. Tactile learners enjoy manipulatives, using different media such as finger-paints, art materials, building projects, blocks or objects for math, hands-on science experiments, lap-booking (making their own books), games, making models, dioramas, etc. If your child is a tactile-based learner, you will find a project-oriented method of learning will probably appeal to your child's need to have active hands.

The Brain’s Dominant Functions

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