Learning Strategies 6 min read

Kinesthetic Learning

Kinesthetic learning is the process of understanding and retaining information through physical movement, hands-on activities, and bodily engagement rather than sitting still and listening.

You're not alone

If your teen drives you crazy bouncing their leg during homework or insists they study better while pacing, you're not alone. Research indicates that 15-20 percent of students process information more effectively through movement. While the "learning styles" theory has been debunked as exclusive categories, movement genuinely helps many teens focus and retain information. The key is finding appropriate ways to incorporate movement into learning.

What it looks like day to day

Student

Your teen walks around the house reciting Spanish vocabulary and retains it better than when sitting at a desk studying flashcards.

Parent

You watch your teen build elaborate hand gestures to remember historical dates and wonder if they should just sit still and focus.

Tiny steps to try

1

Walking study sessions

Have your teen review notes or recite information while walking. The rhythm of walking can improve memory encoding.
2

Fidget tools

Provide stress balls, thinking putty, or fidget cubes during homework. Small movements can actually increase focus for kinesthetic learners.
3

Stand-up desk option

Let your teen stand at the kitchen counter for homework. Standing engages more muscles and can improve alertness.
4

Act it out

Encourage your teen to create movements or gestures for concepts they're learning. Physical encoding strengthens memory.
5

Build to learn

Use manipulatives, models, or drawings to represent abstract concepts. Creating physical representations deepens understanding.

Why movement matters for learning

Some teens genuinely learn better when their body is engaged. They're not being difficult when they fidget during homework or pace while memorizing. Their brain processes information through movement.

Signs your teen might benefit from kinesthetic approaches:
• Fidgets constantly while thinking
• Remembers better when taking notes by hand
• Understands concepts through building or doing
• Needs to move while memorizing information
• Learns better standing or walking
• Uses gestures to explain ideas

Traditional education often restricts movement, making learning harder for kinesthetic processors. Understanding this preference helps you support your teen's natural learning process.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Isn't "kinesthetic learning" just a debunked learning style?

The idea that people are exclusively visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learners has been debunked. However, research clearly shows that incorporating movement into learning benefits most students, especially those with ADHD or attention challenges. It's not about matching teaching to a fixed "style" but using multiple approaches including movement to enhance learning for everyone.

How can I tell if movement helps or distracts my teen?

Test it empirically. Have your teen study the same type of material with and without movement over several sessions. Compare retention and completion times. If they consistently perform better with movement, it's helping. The key is structured movement like pacing or fidgeting, not chaotic activity that prevents focus.