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, uses manipulatives, or is experimental in nature. Look for curriculum that includes projects, simulations, and real-life applications.

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's a tip when purchasing curriculum: be wary of the phrase "great for Kinesthetic Learners." Many times the publisher is referring to cut and paste activities which do not meet the movement needs of Kinesthetic children. Cut and paste activities have a place in your curriculum but should not take center stage.

Here are my recommendations for Kinesthetic homeschool curriculum. Or you can search by subject...

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.

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

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