Understanding Kinesthetic and Tactile Learners: Meaning, Characteristics, and Study Techniques

Overview Summary 

The way a person learns is unique to them. Some learn by handling or building, and some learn through movement. These students learn best with the kinesthetic and tactile approaches. Most of the time, practical activities help these students learn best, rather than reading or listening. This guide outlines the meaning of tactile learning, explanations of the characteristics, examples, classroom activities, study techniques, and the beauty of using tactile learning kits to make learning fun and practical.

Key Takeaways 

• Tactile learning includes the understanding of a concept or idea through building, writing, constructing, arranging, touching, or any other hands-on method.
• Students of the kinesthetic and tactile learning types prefer active learning methods above or beyond reading and listening.
• The types of learning that include models, experiments, flashcards, organisers, puzzles, and manipulatives are the learning types that include hands-on projects.
• Mathematics and science: performing math calculations using manipulatives or using physical objects to assist in the understanding of mathematics. For science, understanding a concept through experimenting.
• The types of hands-on activities that can assist these students in learning include performing experiments, model building, exercises that include sorting, and educational games.
• It is possible to incorporate the practical learning techniques into the already existing study methods and routines.

Introduction 

Not all students can sit quietly and absorb information from a textbook. Students retain information better by building, writing, touching and drawing. Modern teaching methods help educators engage the students. Hands-on experiences help with the understanding and memorisation of abstract concepts.

These students are usually described as kinesthetic and tactile learners. Although they are related, they are not the same. Kinesthetic learning focuses more on learning through movement, whereas tactile learning focuses on the hands-on element.

This learning preference helps provide solutions that help all the students within the class. A few examples are the use of flashcards, building models, doing puzzles, doing experiments and taking notes by hand.

Let’s focus on the tactile learning definition and description, characteristics of kinesthetic tactile learners, practical illustrations, examples of study techniques and study aids that are used in hands-on learning.

Understanding Tactile Learning 

Tactile learning involves the interaction of students with physical objects and materials when studying. Unlike other learning methods that purely rely on reading or listening, students are able to utilise their sense of touch.

Tactile learning can take on many forms. Some examples include:

• Activities requiring students to write or take notes by hand
• Activities involving manipulation of physical objects
• Activities involving student construction of models
• Activities involving student arrangement of cards or blocks
• Drawing of diagrams
• Use of manipulatives
• Conducting of experiments
• Solving of physical puzzles
• Activities involving student construction of projects

Consider a student learning about fractions. This student might understand the concept better by dividing a paper circle into a number of parts equal to the number of fractions as opposed to simply reading the definition of a fraction.

This approach can make classes more interactive. Instead of just explaining concepts, the teacher can now implement teaching methods that allow students to interact with the concept being taught.

Kinesthetic and Tactile Learners: What Is the Difference? 

Kinesthetic and tactile learners are usually discussed together as both involve participation, but their preferences are slightly different.

Kinesthetic Learning 

When talking about learning related to movement and physical activities, we refer to Kinesthetic Learning. These students learn best not from simple explanations, but from participating in demonstrations, enactments and most importantly, through the implementation of practical learning.

Tactile Learning 

The preferred learning style of the tactile learner is that which involves manipulation of materials. These students can also be observed writing, drawing, modelling, and arranging learning materials.

The Point Where They Overlap 

Some students exhibit both preferences. Kinesthetic Tactile learners learn best from actively manipulating the learning materials while simultaneously moving and implementing activities or practices.

The goal of this style of teaching is to increase understanding and participation. It should not be about classification.

Characteristics of Kinesthetic Tactile Learners 

Here are signs to look out for as you teach children who learn through everyday experiences.

• They Prefer Practical Activities: There are some learners who can grasp a concept better through activity-based learning, experiential, project, or demonstration-based learning.
• They Like Working With Objects: These learners often have a high appreciation of, and engagement with, lessons that involve the use of blocks, cards, models, measuring tools, science equipment, learning aids, and materials of the sort.
• They Learn Through Practice: Especially compared to reading explanations multiple times, learners in this category often prefer learning through repeated attempts to solve a problem, create something, or carry out an action.
• They Enjoy Creating Things: Learners in this category appreciate practical learning at the intersection of drawing, model making, experiments, and assigned projects.
• They May Find Passive Study Difficult: These learners struggle to stay engaged through extended periods of listening and/or reading.
• They Remember Through Experience: A student may be able to recall a certain concept from a lesson they engaged with through the creation of an experiment or model relating to the concept.
  
  

Example of Tactile Learners in Different Subjects 

Hands-on learning can be integrated into almost every subject.

Mathematics 

A student using fraction strips, counters, blocks, or coins to assist in the kinesthetic process of understanding number concepts is an example of tactile learning in mathematics.

Science 

Science learners in this group may enjoy hands-on involvement with learning through conducting experiments, building models of the solar system, circuitry, and motion and force experiments.

Social Science 

The use of maps, timelines, models, and role-play activities is a good way to implement hands-on learning for concepts in history and geography.

Languages 

It is known that language practice involves vocabulary exercises, grammar examples, and word ordering. However, simulation games and manipulatives can deepen practice activities.

Geography 

Activities that can be used for geography practice include the making of relief maps, forming land masses with modelling clay, and the use of information cards.

Benefits of Tactile Learning 

Activities involving the manipulation of real-world materials can stimulate interest and enhance the use of previously learned materials.

Better Concept Understanding 
More hands-on involvement aids in the understanding of abstract concepts.

More Active Participation 
Instead of passive reception, learners actively engage in learning.

Improved Memory Through Practice 
Having learned a model, students are more likely to remember the construction of the model when it is time for review.

Encourages Problem-Solving 
Activities involve decisions and the generation of alternatives.

Makes Learning More Engaging 
Varied activities help retain the interest of students.

Activities for Tactile Learners

Teachers and parents can easily employ activities for tactile learners without the need to buy materials.

Build a Model 

Learners are asked to build a model of a lesson topic. This can include a model of the solar system or a digestive system.

Use Flashcards 

Questions are written onto the cards on one side, while the answers are written on the other side. Revision units are formed when the cards are sorted and moved about.

Build Concept Maps 

Concept maps are built by users by placing physically separated cards and then placing them in the map in the correct relationships.

Create Classroom Experiments 

Classroom experiments help students apply scientific concepts that they learned in class.

Use Puzzles 

Quizzes, matching and sequencing games, and crossword and jigsaw puzzles are useful tools for practising a concept.

Make a Timeline 

Students can arrange historical events in order by writing event cards.

Practice with Manipulatives 

Numerous supplies, including fractional bars, blocks, measurement sticks, and shapes, assist in various math concepts.

Tactile Study Techniques to Enhance the Study Routine 

Students can integrate tactile study techniques into the routine.

• Handwritten Notes: Writing notes helps provide a physical connection to the information.
• Highlight and Add Comments: Important information can be highlighted, and notes can include relevant and clarifying statements and be annotated.
• Diagrams: Diagrams help visualise and communicate information.
• Flashcards (Physical): Physical cards can include formulas, vocabulary, days, facts, and definitions.
• Demo with Objects: Complex concepts can be demonstrated by using objects found around the house. Household objects can be used to demonstrate measurement, weight, or simple machines.
• Model First, Learn Later: Process and structure-based subjects can be demonstrated with a physical model before learning the details.
• Revise While Moving: Students can be moving while practising a process or revising flashcards.

Study Tools That Can be Touched 

Tactile study tools help enhance the learning process.

Common Tools 

• Flashcards
• Sticky notes
• Coloured pens and pencils
• Whiteboards
• Educational blocks
• Number counters
• Fraction strips
• Geometric shapes
• Puzzles
• Clay or modelling material
• Measuring tools
• Science experiment kits
• Charts and diagrams
• Physical maps
• Workbooks

The effectiveness of a tool depends on how it is used. A tool as simple as a card can help students organise, test, and review information if they use it that way.

How Teachers Can Support Tactile Learners 

Teachers can combine many ways of promoting and delivering learning activities within a classroom to ensure a range of inclusion for their students.

• Add Hands-On Tasks: Include practical tasks following the verbal and/or written explanation of a task or concept. Students have the opportunity to practice and perform the steps.
• Use Demonstrations: Explain the task and link your class theory and explanation to practical examples.
• Encourage Projects: Allow students to investigate, construct and explain their work to their peers.
• Provide Different Ways To Practice: Include written questions as an alternative to other tasks that can be constructed from models, puzzles, experiments, charts, and other diagrams.
• Allow Students to Demonstrate Their Understanding: Some students may be more capable of responding to the task by explaining the operation of the model rather than by responding verbally.

How Parents Can Support Tactile Learners at Home 

Parents can support hands-on activities by using a variety of resources and materials.

• Use Everyday Materials: Using simple paper, cardboard, and household items, many activities can be devised to engage children.
• Encourage Projects: Allow children to build models, posters or demonstrations to relate their learning to school-based tasks.
• Make Revision Tasks Activities: Games such as matching and sorting tasks can replace the textbook as a source for revision.
• Connect Tasks to Real Life: For example, cooking can be used to practice measurements and fractions while shopping opportunities can be used to practice money calculations.
• Give Learning Opportunities to Be Creative: Activities where children can draw, build, and experiment to represent their learning.

Tactile Learning and Workbooks 

Workbooks are great to have on hand, as they have many structured tasks that can be written, drawn, labelled, and revised. A good workbook should help students apply concepts, not just ask repetitive questions.

Best CBSE Workbook for Class 6–8 

The Best CBSE Workbook for Class 6–8 should be based on the CBSE syllabus and contain a combination of concepts, questions, practice, applications, and revisions.

What to Look For 

• Based on the syllabus
• Explanations
• Chapter-wise exercises
• Competency-based questions
• Activities
• Diagrams and illustrations
• Exercises
• Practice tests and exams

Workbooks designed with age-appropriate activities, within the realm of the curriculum, support classroom instruction to help students practice independently.

Best Science Workbook for Class 6 

Science, by its nature, is a highly practical subject which helps students relate concepts and explanations to their own observations and experiences. When choosing the Best Science workbook for Class 6, one needs to look for a resource that provides a range of formats for practice that reinforce and stretch concepts.

Useful Features 

• Chapter-wise practice
• Activities
• Diagrams and labelling
• Application-based questions
• Case-based questions
• Competency-based questions
• Revision worksheets
• Periodic tests

Workbooks should be a supplement to textbooks, not a substitute. After understanding the concept, practice should be done through workbooks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid 

While hands-on learning has many advantages, it should not completely lose focus on achieving the learning goal.

• Focusing only on the activity: Creative models or fun games are useless if the students cannot understand the concept behind them. The focus should be on conceptual learning through activities. 
• Using too many resources: Students do not need fancy tools for every lesson. Simple tools can work just as well. Introducing too many things might create confusion in a child’s mind. Thus, keep learning tools simple and educational.  
• Avoiding reading entirely: Activities can be used in conjunction with reading, listening, writing, and discussing the material. Kids love variety, and overall learning happens by combining various methods. 
• Overcomplicating the lesson: You do not need to overcomplicate every lesson by adding advanced experiments. Simple hands-on activities, like flashcard activities, are great for explaining concepts.

Also Read: Study Techniques for Exams: 10 Proven Methods to Score Better Marks

Conclusion 

Having the ability to comprehend tactile learning is a great first step for both students and teachers looking to create more hands-on study activities. For those with a preference of learning through touch, building, and movement, and a dislike of learning through passive reading, the use of flashcards, models, experiments, and even workbooks and journals would greatly assist them in their studies.

There are lots of studying aids you can find in stores that you can use and implement right away. For the learners, you don't want to over-rely on any of the several learning styles available, but rather a combination of many styles so they can learn and understand the concepts and apply them accordingly.

There are well-structured workbooks available, which school-going children can use to learn and practice concepts. When selecting the Best CBSE workbook for Classes 6- 8 and the Best Science workbook for Class 6, consider their curriculum, activities, and question alignment in order to assess the extent of practice and coverage of concepts.