Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners learn through, moving, doing and touching...
These students like a "hands-on approach to learning. They learn best by doing, being
directly involved in their learning. They process information as their body moves.
Because the entire body is involved, this type of student takes longer to process new
information.
Characteristics
Involves the sense of touch in learning
Likes to do artwork
Likes to piece things together
May be fond of doodling
Likes to trace words and pictures
Is successful with tasks requiring manipulation
Often likes to chew gum while studying
Often fidgets or finds reasons to move
Is not very attentive to visual or auditory presentations
Wants to be "doing" something
Tries things out
Likes to manipulate objects eg. Mold a piece of clay to learn a new concept.
Gestures when speaking
Is often a poor listener
Responds to music by physical movement
Often finds success in physical response activities
Learns better when able to move during learning
Likes to move hands (doodling, tapping,) while learning
Uses movement to help concentrate
Likes to take frequent study breaks
Often likes to work at a standing position
Uses bright colors to highlight reading material
Likes to listen to music while studying.
Likes to skim through reading material to get a rough idea what it is about before
settling down to read it in detail
Usually exhibits good rhythmic movements and good fine and gross motor skills
Useful Teaching Strategies;
Provide puzzles and other materials to manipulate
Allow for tactile experiences when teaching eg. mathematics-use manipulatives
when teaching new concepts,
Stress the shape and structure of a word , allow student to trace or make from
clay etc.
Allow students to practice writing new words before testing.
Structure classroom so there are areas student may move to to work.
Do short energizers or other movement activities to channel excess energy.
Useful Activities:
doing touching movement
feeling field trips simulations
painting drawing dancing
constructing repairing puzzles
cutting tracing design
model building
role play
