Engage Kinesthetic Learners with Hands-on Activities to Deepen Learning. Discover how Movement and Tactile Experiences Enhance Memory and Comprehension.

This week at Young Scholars' Academy we worked on many hands-on tactile activities. These activities allow my students to move their body and experience learning actively. This connects the movement of the body to the active mind to allow for critical thinking and a deeper learning experience. Here are some examples:

My first graders wrote in sand for sight word recognition. My third grade student learned to subtract 3-digit numbers with regrouping by using Place Value blocks to build numbers. She then regrouped to show why she needed to borrow from the hundreds and tens. My student working with an enrichment study on Egypt built the Nile River out of foil to understand where the source of the Nile was and why it takes longer for water to flow along a curved river versus a straight one.

This is why educators and parent should engage students in activities that require movement because students learn by doing. Physical movement such as touching, moving, or performing hands-on-tasks allows for deeper learning in order to retain information effectively. It is a primary means of learning and understanding new information.

Students who are taught a new concept at a concrete stage can touch and explore through active engagement. While they are manipulating objects, such as my third grade student learning how to regroup numbers using Place Value blocks, it ehances their learning.

It is important for educators and parents to provide opportunities for active engagement. There is a connection between movement and memory. When we move there is what is called muscle memory. When learning to play a new sport or a musical instrument the repetative movement of the body and the cognitive development of the mind work together to coordinate the movements required. Over time, these movements become ingrained allowing students to have increased accuracy and efficiency. The muscle memory is closely linked to a student's ability to remember and recall information associated with the movements.

Here is an example:

Block Buiding and Learning

Here are some more ways learners can benefit from the kinesthetic learning style.

• Improves Comprehension Skills and Cognitive Development.

• Stimulates Creativity

• Builds Problem-Solving Skills

• Strengthen Communication and Social Skills

• Allow for Movement

• Moves the Classroom Outside

Listed below you will also learn how to incorporate movement through these examples.

Sensory Play Stations

Sensory play stations provide a fantastic opportunity for students to explore different textures, shapes, and materials. These hands-on activities not only stimulate their senses but also help them develop fine motor skills and improve focus.

Here are some ideas for sensory play stations:

• Playdough or clay sculpting

• Water or sand tables

• Finger painting or drawing with chalk

• Sorting and stacking objects like blocks or beads

Hands-On Projects and Experiments

Hands-on projects and experiments are excellent ways to engage students in the learning process. These activities allow them to explore concepts through trial and error, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Some engaging hands-on projects and experiments include:

• Building structures with toothpicks and marshmallows

• Creating a homemade volcano and observing chemical reactions

• Designing and testing paper airplanes or parachutes

Role-Playing and Drama Activities

Role-playing and drama activities are not only entertaining but also provide valuable kinesthetic learning experiences for kids with thinking and learning differences. These activities help develop social skills, emotional intelligence, and self-expression.

Here are some role-playing and drama ideas:

• Acting out scenes from a favorite book or movie

• Creating and performing a skit based on a historical event

• Playing charades with vocabulary words or concepts

Finally, take a look at this video and use these study tips to help your kinesthetic learner be more successful.

As we’ve explored, kinesthetic learning examples offer a wealth of opportunities for students to engage with their education in a way that suits their unique thinking and learning styles. By incorporating sensory play stations, active learning games, hands-on projects, role-playing activities, and movement-based learning strategies into your child’s routine, you can create a dynamic and supportive learning environment. Remember, the important thing is to be flexible and adapt these activities to your child’s interests and needs.