Some people are kinesthetic learners: people who need motion to learn. These people can’t exactly learn the best from just hearing something said or from seeing it—they need to do it. These are often called “tactile” learners, too, though on a practical level “touch” is really a distinct learning type. You can be one without being the other, so don’t be too attached to the technicalities.
The fact is, even in the overall “kinesthetic” learning type, different subtypes exist, and only partially because of different possible secondary learning type combos. Colors help some people; hinder others. Some people find themselves better oriented towards the doing aspect that teachers usually cater to; others find it better just to move.
1. Chew
Does your school or situation allow you to chew gum? Do you lack braces or TMJ? Then quietly chewing a bit of gum might offer the motion stimulus you need to help you learn. Just make sure you keep your mouth closed—smacking’s a sure way of making others mad at you and maybe even of losing your gum privileges.
2. Color
Make a photocopy of your notes or the map or whatever you’re studying. Now pull out some colored pencils, highlighters, or whatever you have available, and color it! Pay attention to what you’re coloring, and the act of coloring could be your best option. It’s also possible that the mere act of color-coding your notes might be enough.
3. Jitter
This can really annoy people, but sometimes silently tapping your leg or bouncing your foot can be the stimulus you need to learn or maybe even pay attention when listening to a lecture, since it’s a healthy alternative to (rudely) picking your nails. The foot-bouncing produces less movement and less distraction to those around you than leg-bouncing does, so even those who protest leg motion might be placated with this compromise.
4. Type
Type out your notes on a computer, typewriter, or calculator (though I wouldn’t advise that last one for time reasons). Pay attention as you type, and experiment with different fonts and coloring. If this works for you, regular black type will probably be fine, but some people will find colored cursive reminiscent of their own highlighted handwriting better.
5. Walk
Some folks’ personal favorite: walking. Take your notes and repeat them to yourself while walking. If you’re in a rush, walking faster or bouncing while you walk can sometimes help, though this method’s effectiveness might vary with subject. When space is limited (or you’re in a hallway awaiting a test), a few-step pace back and forth can suffice instead of a wide circling you might prefer when you have room.
6. Write
Try writing out your notes by hand. Some people find this method the cement for their memories, especially some forms of visual learners. If trying this method, you do have to pay attention to what you’re writing and can’t just run on autopilot. Experiment with pencil and pen, polychromatic (colored) and monochromatic (black and white).
7. Yo-yo
As crazy as this might sound, some people have their best results from this one: studying while yo-yoing. The motion and sound (the yo-yo has a type of buzzing sound while twirling on the string) make this method especially useful to audio-kinesthetic learners. If you try this one, you’ll probably find yourself walking while studying, as well.
Chances are, even if you are a kinesthetic learner, some of these methods will be worthless to you—especially if you, like me, can’t yo-yo. Experiment with these methods, and pay attention to what you naturally do when trying to pay attention to someone (even if you’re usually reprimanded for doing it). Perhaps your natural tendency can be adjusted into something that won’t get you into trouble; maybe, instead of picking your nails, you can bounce your foot.
As long as you remember the substitution, of course.
View Comments
thanks this is alway a good thing to learn i have a big project someing up and i needed this so thx bye and every one have a good day
thanks this is alway a good thing to learn i have a big project someing up and i needed this so thx bye and every one have a good day
These tips are semi- okay. . . I don't find them very useful. . . what other tips do u have?
These tips are semi- okay. . . I don't find them very useful. . . what other tips do u have?
chang your name
wow in ten minutes...... I just realized the kind of learner I am. My whole life I thought I was ADD but now I know I just learn differently I am very grateful for this study technique thanks a lot!!!!!
wow in ten minutes...... I just realized the kind of learner I am. My whole life I thought I was ADD but now I know I just learn differently I am very grateful for this study technique thanks a lot!!!!!
I though i was useless at studying untill now! i bought myself a stressball, thought it will work just like the yo-yo concept!
I though i was useless at studying untill now! i bought myself a stressball, thought it will work just like the yo-yo concept!
During church I would doodle, creating very artistic pictures. I was always embarrassed that I might be distracting someone else, because I would always see people look over at me. But I found that doodling was something I could do with my hands and be able to pay attention.
I do the gum thing...but I didn't realize that it was a coping skill.
I know I would fidgit a lot!
I have triplets and am homeschooling them. And I just realized that I have all 3 learning types represented (visual, auditory, and my sweet daughter the kinesthetic learner). So I am now researching each type to see how I can help them learn. I would like to see more ideas to help younger kids learn.
I struggled through school all my life, so I would like to make it better for them.
I struggled too. All through school!! I thought I was dumb. When I reached college, barely and frightened to death that it would be a waste of time and money... I was able to do the work even the math!! WOW I became a math major. It made no sense to me in elementary and I avoided it in high shool, it was just numbers on a page. In college i'd go to the library sit in a carroll and chew gum and mints, twirled my pencil, my hair, bounced my legs, and tour the library every 15 minutes.
Now I have my little learners and the charmer is my tactile learner. We are just now embarking on how alien academic life is becoming for him...he's in third grade...least the previous years were cut and paste, color, but now it's sit and do and finish....complete this ditto! It works for his visual brother but not the athletic bundle, who has to move, touch, feel. Standardized testing will be torture. It was for me.My thoughts would drift to how numb my legs were becoming. And then how annoying the numbness would feel.
I am searching, right now, for learning guidance for him, tools, manipulatives, how to turn his general education into something he can understand. I likes going to school it's where he can socialize. But I need a plan for him to learn tactiley. HELP PLEASE !!
During church I would doodle, creating very artistic pictures. I was always embarrassed that I might be distracting someone else, because I would always see people look over at me. But I found that doodling was something I could do with my hands and be able to pay attention.
I do the gum thing...but I didn't realize that it was a coping skill.
I know I would fidgit a lot!
I have triplets and am homeschooling them. And I just realized that I have all 3 learning types represented (visual, auditory, and my sweet daughter the kinesthetic learner). So I am now researching each type to see how I can help them learn. I would like to see more ideas to help younger kids learn.
I struggled through school all my life, so I would like to make it better for them.