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.
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i like this website because it tells you how and why people can learn better and concentrate more...
this also discribes me alot on what i do to help me concentrate and learn better
my mom knows im a Kinesthetic learner but she put me in online school i get distracted and loose interest because it all on the computer. it always feels like theres a wall in between me and learning i can call my teacher and type to them but it not the same
I stumbled upon this looking for ways to help my daughter study - and realized that this is how I studied in school! I am a compulsive finger picker, walk when I read and always type out my notes. Maybe she got it from me! Thanks for the info!
After reading this i just realized that when i really am interested in learning something i bounce my foot or walk while reading! Now that i realized this im sure i will have better luck in studing! Thanks :)
I am a 39 year old nursing student and find myself struggling especially with pathophysiology. I think it is because it is so abstract and I can't really grasp it in a tangible way. I have found help on websites before that were aimed at elementary school kids! My favorite way to study hands down, is to make copies of the diagrams that explain concepts in my books and tape a little "door" over each word or item that I want to learn and learn it entirely through seeing the picture and checking behind the "door" to see if I got it right. My best success has been learning in this way. Unfortunately, sometimes I just get overwhelmed with all of the material and fail to even make my "door" study guide. Thanks for reminding me how it can really help my life! I know I am smart, taking tests in certain subjects is just brutal for me though. Good luck everyone who is struggling, I think as long as you keep searching for something that works for you until you find it, you WILL be successful! Don't give up and just accept that you suck at test-taking.
Thanks. The article was really helpful. i came around it while googling for "Tips for Kinesthetic/Tactile Learners".
This is definitely my learning type and I fully realized it while changing careers. I had been a nurse for years and found school pretty easy. I didn't know that rewriting notes by hand and/or computer made me a kinesthetic learner, but I learn best that way. While in barber and cosmetology school, I struggled terribly. The beauty industry is dominated by visual learners, even the instructors are visual learners. A lot of haircuts are explained as the instructor is doing it. That technique is nirvana to an auditory or visual learner. I found that I had to write down, step-by-step, the entire haircut or procedure before I could complete it and, most importantly, understand it.
This was a very good forum...I was interested in finding out why my 14 year son has had such a tuff time with his first year of high school. He is an above average student but is really having issues this year unlike before. He plays both basketball, and football and excels in them both but has now had to sit out to failing grades. He has big plans of attending a D1 school for sports medicine (LSU), and we need to find ways to help achieve his overall plan of success. These are very good tip on how to control his study habits, and he has a lot of the traits mentioned here. Chewing gum, tapping, loud music while studying, etc.. Thank you and I keep working on this.
I never thought I was a kinesthetic learner and don't necessarily think that I am, but I do find that crocheting while attending seminars, lectures and the like helps me pay attention.