Kinesthetic / Tactile Learning Style

Teaching Kinesthetic and Tactile Learners at Home

Kinesthetic and tactile learners bring a special kind of energy to the homeschool environment. These children thrive when they can actively engage their bodies and senses in the learning process, turning traditional lessons into dynamic, hands-on experiences. Whether your child has dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or just a preference for movement-based learning, teaching them can be an adventure filled with discovery and creativity.

However, one of the biggest challenges for homeschooling moms is the lack of ready-made resources designed specifically for kinesthetic and tactile learners. Traditional curriculums often overlook the need for movement and touch-based activities, focusing instead on visual or auditory methods. But with the right strategies, you can craft a learning experience that plays to your child’s strengths and keeps them excited about education.

What Defines a Kinesthetic/Tactile Learner?

Kinesthetic learners absorb information best through movement. They prefer to “do” rather than passively listen or watch. Similarly, tactile learners benefit from physical touch and hands-on activities, engaging their senses to explore new concepts. For example, a kinesthetic/tactile learner might excel in a lesson where they build a model of the solar system rather than reading about it in a book.

Signs your child might have a kinesthetic/tactile learning style include:

  • Difficulty sitting still for long periods.
  • A preference for hands-on activities like experiments, crafts, or building projects.
  • Learning better when movement is involved (e.g., clapping out syllables or hopping to count).
  • Using physical gestures to express thoughts or ideas.
  • Enjoyment of textures, tools, and manipulatives during lessons.

Buzzwords to Help You Find Resources

When searching for materials for your kinesthetic/tactile learner, look for keywords like:

  • Hands-on
  • Experiential
  • Movement-based learning
  • Brain-based activities
  • Learning games

Programs described with these terms are often packed with activities that align with your child’s learning needs.

Teaching Strategies for Core Subjects

Math: Turning Abstract Concepts into Tangible Experiences

Kinesthetic/tactile learners often struggle with abstract math concepts but excel when those ideas are brought to life through movement or touch. Here are some effective strategies:

  • Clap, Stomp, or Jump Math: Use physical actions like clapping, stomping, or jumping to represent addition, subtraction, or even multiplication.
  • Manipulatives: Incorporate hands-on tools such as Math-U-See blocks, Base Ten blocks, Cuisenaire Rods, or even household items like beans or buttons to visualize and interact with numbers.
  • Math Games: Look for interactive board games or apps that encourage tactile engagement, such as dice-based games for practicing basic operations.
  • Cooking or Building Projects: Use real-world scenarios, such as measuring ingredients or calculating dimensions for a building project, to apply math concepts in a physical way.

Reading: Making Letters Come to Life

Reading can be a challenging subject for children with dyslexia, ADHD, or ASD, but tactile and kinesthetic strategies make learning phonics and decoding skills more engaging:

  • Large-Body Movements: Have your child “write” letters in the air with their whole arm or trace them on a chalkboard.
  • Textured Writing: Let your child trace letters in sand, salt, shaving cream, or textured fabric while saying the letter sounds.
  • Creative Manipulatives: Use playdough, Wikki Stix, or pipe cleaners to form letters and words.
  • Story Acting: Act out scenes from a story or use puppets to bring reading comprehension exercises to life.
  • Phonics Hopscotch: Create a hopscotch board with letter combinations and have your child jump to form words as they call out the sounds.

Science: Learning by Doing

Science provides endless opportunities for kinesthetic learners to explore concepts through hands-on activities:

  • Experiments and Projects: Build models, conduct experiments, or create simple machines to understand scientific principles.
  • Nature Walks and Field Trips: Explore local parks, zoos, or science museums to learn through observation and physical exploration.
  • Interactive Kits: Invest in STEM kits or subscription boxes with projects that include assembling circuits, building structures, or growing crystals.
  • Sensory Play: Use slime, water tables, or kinetic sand to explore physical properties like texture, density, and elasticity.

Writing: From Movement to Mastery

For many kinesthetic learners, writing can feel like an endless chore. Here’s how to make it more engaging:

  • Letter Crafting: Have your child “write” using nontraditional tools like chalk, paint, or magnetic letters.
  • Interactive Storytelling: Encourage storytelling through comics, acting, or dictation where they narrate while you write.
  • Writing Games: Turn writing practice into a scavenger hunt or relay race by hiding prompts around the house.

Tips for Homeschooling Kinesthetic/Tactile Learners with Dyslexia, ADHD, or ASD

Children with learning differences like dyslexia, ADHD, or ASD may require extra patience and creativity, but they can thrive with the right supports in place:

  1. Create a Flexible Schedule: Incorporate frequent movement breaks to help your child stay focused.
  2. Keep Lessons Short and Engaging: Limit traditional seatwork and incorporate hands-on projects that reinforce the lesson.
  3. Provide a Sensory-Friendly Space: Use items like fidget tools, wobble cushions, or weighted blankets to help your child self-regulate.
  4. Focus on Strengths: Build lessons around what your child enjoys, whether it’s crafting, sports, or exploring nature.
  5. Collaborate with Experts: Seek advice from occupational therapists or special education professionals to tailor strategies to your child’s unique needs.

Activities to Inspire Kinesthetic/Tactile Learning

Below are some general ideas for kinesthetic/tactile learning that you can customize for any subject:

  • Movement-Based Memorization: Use jumping jacks, dance moves, or yoga poses to memorize facts or spell words.
  • Interactive Role-Playing: Reenact historical events, create mock interviews, or stage scientific “discoveries.”
  • Building Challenges: Use LEGO bricks, K’NEX, or other building tools to visualize math, science, or even storytelling concepts.
  • Outdoor Adventures: Plan scavenger hunts, garden projects, or nature hikes to reinforce learning themes.

A Final Word of Encouragement

Homeschooling a kinesthetic/tactile learner can feel overwhelming at times, especially if you’re juggling learning differences like dyslexia, ADHD, or autism. But remember, your child’s unique energy and perspective are their greatest strengths. By embracing their need for movement and touch, you’re not just teaching them—you’re helping them thrive.

Your creativity and flexibility as a homeschool mom will open doors that a traditional classroom might not. Every hands-on project, movement-based lesson, and tactile activity brings your child one step closer to discovering the joy of learning. Keep experimenting, keep moving, and most of all, keep believing in your child’s incredible potential.

Additional Ideas for Kinesthetic / Tactile Learning Activities:

Air Writing Have child set up a “Shop” to practice math with money, the child is the cashier. Rhythmic Clap and Tap for Spelling & memorization
Build Models
CatchBall Drills – Play catch while reviewing facts Interpretive Dance Role Playing
Cooking or building for measurement studies Jump Rope Recitation – Memorization while jumping Scavenger Hunts
Field Trips Large Arm writing on whiteboard or chalkboard Science Experiments
Frequent activity breaks / Brain Gym Letter Tiles Walk while listening to Audio Books
Hands-on Experiments Make your own “Walk and Talk” tapes for memorization Walking Review – Walking while listening or reciting
Hands-On Museum Visits Nature Hikes Plays, Drama, or Skits