4 Key Characteristics of Kinesthetic Learners & How To Help Them In Learning
It should go without saying that learning is an essential part of human nature. There are different stages of learning that come in different phases of life. As infants and toddlers, we have to learn to crawl, walk, and talk. As we grow older, we attend schools and educational institutes to develop more complex skills.
Despite the fact that many people learn the same or almost similar topics, people actually have different types of learning styles, due to which they perceive and remember the information in varying ways.
Kinesthetic learning is one such learning style. Let’s elaborate on this learning style in detail.
What Is Kinesthetic Learning?
The simplest definition of kinesthetic learning is to learn something by doing it. Kinesthetic learner is able to learn best when they are actively participating in a learning process. Therefore, it is vital for teachers and instructors to engage kinesthetic learners practically so that they are able to learn about a topic effectively and ace their exams.
The specific type of activity can either be physical or mental. For instance, kinesthetic learners are recommended to play crosswords to learn new words and expand their vocabulary. It is also possible you are not a kinesthetic learner by nature, but you will still be able to relate to kinesthetic learning style, such as the process in which we learn different sports.
Characteristics of Kinesthetic Learners
A traditional classroom lecture is often not suitable for kinesthetic learners because they can only learn best when they are performing the relevant action. Such learners typically do better when muscle movement or some kind of practice is included in the learning process.
Following are some of the key characteristics of kinesthetic learners:
- Not Bored of Learning
Kinesthetic learners enjoy the learning process as long as they are practically involved in it. The traditional mode of teaching that involves delivering a lecture in a classroom is called passive teaching because students are sitting and only using their sense of vision and hearing to learn something.
On the other hand, kinesthetic learners are active learners who tend to turn the learning processes into practical activities, such as games or hands-on experience. This is the reason why they don’t get bored of learning.
- Better at Learning Skills
Passive learning is sufficient to learn facts and concepts. However, practice is necessary to acquire skills. This is the reason why kinesthetic learners are better at learning skills instead of remembering facts.
However, it does not mean that kinesthetic learners are bad at conceptual subjects, but they typically have to work harder on such topics. Ultimately, they enjoy practicing, which helps them improve their skills.
- Long-Term Memory Retention
Kinesthetic learners are capable of storing information for a long period of time, especially once they have practiced it. The reason behind this is that the human brain is capable of recalling memories faster than information, and kinesthetic learners tend to commit their practical learning experiences to long-term memory.
- Innovation Skills
Innovators are individuals who give birth to new concepts and inventions. On the other hand, implementors are those who tend to use existing concepts and theories. Naturally, kinesthetic learners are more focused on learning through action, due to which they have a greater interest in experimenting and innovating things.
Common Challenges for Kinesthetic Learners
Kinesthetic learners face a variety of challenges in their learning process because their style is typically different from others. Some of these common challenges are:
Theoretical Studies
Kinesthetic learners can get bored quite quickly when they have to sit in a lengthy classroom lecture. They might not be able to fully grasp the concept or information being discussed in the classroom.
A solution to this issue is that the instructors should focus more on practice and less on theories to make sure the kinesthetic learners are kept engaged throughout the learning session. Learners themselves should also take responsibility and let their instructors know about any specific issue they might be facing.
Mundane Learning Routine
Other than learning in a classroom, kinesthetic learners also face issues while learning by themselves. They cannot just sit, open a book, and start learning things. Instead, they have to include some sort of practice or fun technique to make the learning process active, engaging, and fun.
This is the reason why kinesthetic learners are recommended to make their own flashcards in their handwriting to ensure the entire learning process is an engaging activity for them and they can memorize the information in a much better way.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that every learning style, including kinesthetic learning, has its pros and cons. It is important for both the learners and the educators to be familiar with these learning styles and implement suitable strategies that can elevate the learning experience and allow kinesthetic learners to excel in their academic lives just like any other students.
