Mom Staples ·May 06, 2022

Signs You Have a Kinesthetic Tactile Learners on Your Hands

As a mom, you're constantly learning. New moms might not be privy to all nuances of motherhood, so this one is especially for you.

Feeding, dressing, bathing, and entertaining children are only the tip of the iceberg. As your kids get older, you need to teach them manners, address their physical limitations or abilities, and help them determine their unique learning styles.

Tactile kinesthetic learning is one of eight learning styles, and is sometimes seen as the most difficult. The multiple intelligences theory, coined by Howard Gardner in his book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences., infers that children retain and absorb information in different ways.

Your Child's Learning Style

While everyone possesses a little bit of each intelligence, the key is finding the learning style that works best for your child. They could be:

Linguistic learners: They prefer taking in information via storytelling, writing, and lectures. They like to read and play word games.
Math learner: Who uses experiments and questioning to find answers. These learners tend to overthink and analyze everything.
Spatial learning: This is the "artistic" learner who is good at retaining information in the form of pictures, visuals, building, and puzzles.
Musical learner: These learners generally like to listen to music while studying. They'll comprehend the material better while something is playing in the background.
Tactile kinesthetic learning: This learner likes to learn by roleplaying, playing games, or manipulating objects.
Interpersonal learners: They like to learn through interaction and others' experiences. They're a "people-person" and actually like group activities.
Intrapersonal learner: This person likes to work alone. They focus on journaling and self-reflection. They almost always come up with solutions to problems.
Naturalist learning: This person enjoys learning about nature and is likely to end up in a job that involves them being connected to it (weatherman, park ranger, botanist, gardener, farmer, biologist, etc.).

The Problem

It's true that at least one of these comes easier for your child. However, this creates a problem in our one-size-fits-all educational structure. Tactical learners, in particular, can sometimes seem the most difficult to understand, nurture, or teach.

Gardner argues that test-taking and IQ are determined only through logical and linguistic intelligence. So what if your child is a tactile learner?

While modern education has become more inclusive, you can help by proactively paying attention to the different ways your little one interacts with their environment.

Tactile Learners Definition

The official tactile learners definition doesn't give you a whole lot to work with in terms of strategy.

Kids (and adults) who embrace tactile kinesthetic learning absorb information best through a combination of physical and auditory techniques.

These types of learners generally have a hard time sitting still. They also get distracted easily, and they're constantly fidgeting.

tactile kinesthetic learning

You can pretty much tell if your child is a hands-on learner when they're toddlers.

For example, my Mom friends will often ask me why their child always wants to play with their jewelry. This isn't really unheard of. Plenty of moms worry about little ones pulling at their necklaces (or hair— ouch!).

These encounters are part of the reason why Caye Joaillier's jewelry is animated! So many of our customers are moms who want fine jewelry. They just don't want their little one to destroy it!

Our animated jewelry line is durable enough to withstand your child's "pinching and gripping" stage. Plus, with these moving parts, your child will be distracted (and stimulated) while they're in your arms.

In other words, playing with your jewelry is encouraged here!

How Do Tactile Learners Learn Best?

The best way for tactile learners to absorb information is by using their hands.

tactile kinesthetic learning

Unlike linguistic learners who learn best through storytelling and lectures, tactile kinesthetic learning means your child wants to learn by doing.

Tactile Kinesthetic Learning Style and Strategies

So Moms, if you're noticing that your child never wants to sit still, you might want to take a look at these signs of a tactile learner:

Your child feels to need to move constantly
They have a hard time focusing
Your child loves hands-on activities
They (unfortunately) like to ignore your instructions
They dislike feeling confined

If these characteristics are all too familiar, then what you need is some guidance on how to handle their unique learning style!

Here are a few tactical kinesthetic learning strategies you can implement for your child while they're little:

1. Hands-on activities

If you notice that your child is especially grabby, incorporating hands-on activities early in life will help them develop their unique learning style.

There are age-appropriate activities that can encourage tactile kinesthetic learning early on. I recommend letting your child:

Put together puzzles
Create shapes with Play-Doh, and
Play with building blocks

And in between these play sessions, let your child play with your animated Caye jewelry!

2. Give them a sensory toy

Even if your kid grows up to be hands-on, you'll still want to strengthen their other learning skills.

Sensory toys are a great way to activate multiple senses and, therefore, encourage numerous learning styles. You'll want to pick a toy with a unique look, feel, and smell.

Here are a few suggestions.

While jewelry for toddlers has become a trending topic, I don't recommend it. There are too many hazards, and it's just too unpredictable.

Instead, save the jewelry for yourself! Get something like this necklace that your child can casually play with!

3. Use props when teaching

Tactile learners learn best when they can physically use or see something. Using props to teach them counting or spelling helps them grasp the concepts faster.

Stuffed animals, spelling card games, and Abacus counting frames are some kid-friendly props that can activate your child's unique learning style.

And, I mean, why not teach them how to count using one of our Dizzy rings? You get a fancy piece of jewelry, and your child gets to play and learn!

Sounds like a win-win to me. ;)

As your child gets older, these strategies manifest in a few different tactical learning styles.

For example, notecards and Post-It notes might be a better way to help your child study. But if you're teaching them how to do a chore or complete a task, the best way for your little tactile learner to grasp the concept is to first show them how it's done and then let them try it!