How To Homeschool Kinesthetic Learners

How To Homeschool Kinesthetic Learners Time to get moving! Kinesthetic learners learn best by moving and touching.

These 'hands-on' learners need to experience what they are learning - not just read or hear a lecture about it. Sitting still is a huge hindrance to their learning.

Kinesthetic children possess a "hands-on intelligence" that makes our world a better place to live. The next time you need your car fixed or drive over a bridge hug a Kinesthetic child. They make it possible!

They are the next Albert Einstein or Thomas Edison if allowed to blossom into their full potential. Homeschooling allows you to tailor a curriculum to meet your Kinesthetic child's needs and bring out their natural gifts.

Unsure of your child's learning style? Find out with this learning style inventory.

Characteristics of Kinesthetic Learners

Here are a few clues that you may have a Kinesthetic child on your hands...

Learns through first-hand experience
Taps or doodles while listening
Explores through touch and movement
Is naturally skilled in physical activities such as sports or riding a bicycle
Enjoys putting things together and taking them apart
Uses fingers to figure out math problems
Tracks with finger while reading
Sits still for 5.2 seconds at a time!

Recommendations For Kinesthetic
Homeschool Curriculum

As you are navigating the sea of homeschool curriculum, look for resources that can be read aloud, use manipulatives, or includes hands-on activities. Look for curriculum that includes projects, models, and demonstrations.

Try out this great idea from Suzanne... "We have a red Sit-N-Gym that our 7-yr-old kinesthetic learner calls her 'excercise ball'. She uses it most while I read history. The rubber is quite thick, so it is unlikely to 'pop' while in use--ours gets some vigorous use."

Here are my recommendations for Kinesthetic homeschool curriculum.

Kinesthetic Learning Activities

What's the secret behind successfully homeschooling your Kinesthetic child? Work with the wiggle! Turn as much of your curriculum into movement activities as possible. Kinesthetic Learners need to get their hands and bodies involved.

Need fresh ideas for teaching your Kinesthetic learner? Or, do you have a successful idea to share? Click here!

Download the Kinesthetic Learning Styles Worksheet to help you plan movement-based lessons.

Ask yourself...
(1) How can the topic be experienced?
(2) How can my child 'do' what he is learning?

Teach Lessons Using...

Field trips
Experiments
Reading aloud so your child can move while listening
Simulations
Role playing

Have Your Kinesthetic Learner...

Construct models (solar system, Egyptian city)
Experience the topic first hand (field trips, demonstration, plant a garden)
Touch and examine what she is learning (dissect a flower)
Work with manipulatives for math, spelling, and writing
Role-play historic events, math processes, scenes from literature, etc.
Memorize information (such as math facts) while moving (i.e. playing basketball)
Instead of written reports have your child do dramatizations
Play educational games (fun way to learn grammar, history, math and spelling)
Use videos and websites
Take frequent "movement" breaks during seatwork

Kinesthetic Homeschooling Styles

Textbook and seatwork-oriented methods are not a good fit with Kinesthetic Learners. Create a space that allows your child to move around freely. Use the kinesthetic learning activities (from above) and the Kinesthetic Learning Styles Worksheet with the following homeschooling methods...

Charlotte Mason
Moore Formula
Unit Studies
Unschooling