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This learning style takes place by students physically doing the work. They have a difficult time listening to lectures or watching demonstrations, instead they need to be hands-on. They are the do-ers in your classroom. About five percent of the population learns best by hand-ons learning and lessons that require physical creativity. Those who are kinetic learners might make creative dancers, awesome surgeons or anyone who uses their bodies to create.

Let the kinetic learner move around. Moving helps with their understanding. They tend to pass subjects and be more successful when they can move. They are very good in chemistry experiments, playing sports or acting. Kinetic students have excellent hand to eye coordination. They tend to have high energy levels that may cause them to be restless or “wiggly.” Realise that a student who seems hyper may be trying expressing their need just to move around. Find them something that transfers this creative energy.

Often kinetic learning programs are developed to engage learners by helping them realise what they must know, but also why they must know a subject. Let them be in control. Effective skills and lessons aught through trial and error, provide positive feedback. Lessons are designed to let the kinetic learner find out the answers through experience in a safe environment.

Kinetic education is on four concepts:

•   Align objects inside the scope the strategic objectives.

•   Engage the kinetic student in self-directed learning. In other words, let them try without being told how to do a project. This type of learning is learning by doing.

•   Involve the kinetic learners in practical and risk controlled exercises. Challenge your hands-on students to acquire information and skills and demonstrate what they are doing.

•   Reinforce knowledge by demonstrations.

The beauty of a kinetic learner is the interaction you will enjoy. Learners are not passive recipients of lessons; they actively engage in seeking knowledge. Independent thinkers and problem solvers who put their best practices into daily life are your awesome kinetic learners.

Tips and Tricks for Handling a Kinetic Learner

•   Let them handle a squeeze “stress ball” while working.

•   If you can stand it, let the pencil tapping or drumming commence. An observant teacher will be able to tell the difference between a thinking tapper” and an annoying one.

•   Kinetic learners are the “touchy-feely” students. They love to touch people.

•   They tap their pencil for foot while doing schoolwork.

•   Take frequent breaks when studying and just can’t sit still in one place for longer periods of time.

•   Must take frequent breaks to move their bodies.

Unfortunately these bright and beautiful children often do not do well in school. They acquire and retain information and skills when they can handle or manipulative real-life activities. In primary school, children this type of learning style can be a real handicap. As kinetic students grow older, they learn to combine visual and auditory styles into their learning patterns. They stop relying on just moving and touching. If you have kinetic learning students in your classroom, experiment with different teaching techniques, discuss your practice with other teachers and never give up on a student.