As parents, it’s crucial to recognize which type of learners your kids are. When you see beyond the grades and consider the different learning styles, kids can master the material more effectively and retain it for longer.
I’ve met different types of students and proved many times that each deserves their approach to learning. One kind of learning that is equally exciting, and challenging is tactile learning.
Kinesthetic or tactile learning is a way of learning with the help of tactile senses: touching, feeling, and manipulating objects. Unlike visual and auditory learners, tactile learners require more tactile input to understand and remember concepts. Tactile learners are more associated with physical activities than reading or writing learners.
Do you have a tactile learner? If yes, are they making the most of tactile learning?
In this article, learn the characteristics of a tactile learner and the best ways to make learning a fun and practical experience.
Characteristics of Tactile Learners
Knowing which type of learner your child is can be beneficial. If your child prefers to read books or write what they learn, they will likely be reading or writing learners. If they must see or hear things to remember, they’re either a visual or auditory learner. Each type of learner has a unique set of characteristics. For tactile learners, learning can involve:
- Using hands and fingers to explore objects
- Moving around and getting involved in activities
- Making tactile models for a better understanding of concepts
- Remembering and applying information when doing physical activities
- Using tactile elements to learn language and math
- Making tactile games to practice their skill set
If your son or daughter loves hands-on activities and moving around, they’re most probably a tactile learner. Another characteristic to look out for is ignoring or overlooking instructions. They’d instead make mistakes to learn the concept than follow directions. Tactile learners also often dislike being confined and find it challenging to focus for long periods.
Having a tactile learner can be demanding, but I encourage you to nurture their learning style. If tactile learning works well for them, here are five ways to make the most of it:
1. Allow Movement While Learning
Many parents think that staying still is the only sign that students are paying attention. However, tactile learners naturally need to move around to be able to concentrate better and understand the material faster.
Allow them to stand up, walk around, or work on something while learning. Tell them if they prefer to bounce their legs or tap the table! Tactile learners focus better when they have a sensory outlet, so provide them with resources that allow tactile exploration.
It’s also ideal for letting your learners help out with practical activities. If you need help with a small project, tactile learners can understand the concepts better if they get to take part in it.
2. Use Real-Life Objects
Another way to make tactile learning more effective is by providing hands-on activities. When tactile learners can associate tactile input with theoretical knowledge, they’ll be able to understand the concepts more clearly.
Real-life objects give tactile learners a better understanding of what they’re studying. You can find tactile items in your everyday life, such as coins, magnets, puzzles, and Legos. Anything tactile can help them realize abstract concepts better!
I also suggest using tactile memory cards, maps, mazes, and other materials for their studies. Keeping tactile learners engaged with real-life objects is a great way to make tactile learning more fun and effective.
3. Establish Study Hours
Some parents schedule consecutive study hours, especially when exams are coming up. It works for some learners, but I recommend splitting study hours into shorter sessions for tactile learners.
Being inactive for too long isn’t an effective way for tactile learners to retain information. As a parent, you can quickly notice this when you observe your child as they stay seated for too long.
When tactile learners force themselves to stay still and concentrate on one thing, they’ll become distracted and not absorb the information. They’re more likely to feel burned out as well. Instead, let them take short breaks every 30 minutes or so.
Short study sessions also help tactile learners to clear their minds and take a break when needed. Tactile learners need to stay active and attentive, so remember to provide them with educational gaps.
The Pomodoro technique is an ideal studying strategy you can introduce to your tactile learners. This method suggests that you work in 25-minute intervals and break every five minutes. After four such sessions, tactile learners can take a more extended break of 15-20 minutes.
4. Encourage Physical Activity Breaks
Besides establishing a study schedule, tactile learners can benefit from physical activity breaks. When you know it’s break time, encourage them to go for a walk or stretch. Even if tactile learners don’t feel it, movement can help them refocus after a session.
Physical activity also increases the release of endorphins, which can help tactile learners stay motivated and interested in their studies. It reduces distracting behavior such as fidgeting or daydreaming. For younger tactile learners, utilizing digital technology could be a great way to combine learning with physical activity. Games can also help them stay active.
Other physical activities your tactile learner can do during breaks are yoga, breathing exercises, skipping, or simply running in place. Get creative and provide tactile learners with movements they enjoy doing! You can join them and make breaks even more fun if you have time.
5. Visit Places Related to School Topics
Lastly, take learning outside the classroom or at home. Visiting places related to tactile learners’ school topics can be very beneficial. Let tactile learners feel the material in their hands and observe it from different angles to fully understand it.
For tactile learners, experiencing something first-hand is more effective than just reading about it in a book or seeing a video online. Visiting museums, art galleries, or historical sites will allow tactile learners to observe and touch items they may not have access to otherwise.
These visits will also allow tactile learners to engage with their environment in a way that traditional classrooms can’t provide. They’ll be able to explore tactile objects, ask questions, and interact with the people around them. This tactile learning experience will help learners stay engaged and understand lessons better.
Study Right with StudyRight
I’ve met students whose grades didn’t reflect how much they knew about the subject. It’s always integral to factor in their stress and pressure while studying. The challenges they face often come from using a learning approach that doesn’t fit their learning style.
At StudyRight, we acknowledge tactile learners and their needs. Moreover, we know that tactile learning in high school may look different from tactile learning in preschool. As tactile learners grow, their needs for tactile activities evolve, too. Nevertheless, the first step parents should take to find the best tactile learning approach for their tactile learners.
Our 35 Days to Better Grades: A High School Study Skills Course is designed to help high schoolers with different learning styles find an approach to learning that works best for them. Knowing how to study can significantly impact the learner’s success. It removes the stress, pressure, and anxiety associated with school.
Your high schooler deserves a guide in building confidence and boosting grades. That’s why our comprehensive study program helps learners discover how different learning approaches work for them. For tactile learners, this program is a great way to make the most of tactile learning and enhance their learning ability.
Help your tactile learner improve daily. Enroll them in StudyRight’s course now!
FAQs
What are the characteristics of a tactile learner?
Individuals who learn best through physical contact and practical applications are known as tactile learners. They are more likely to engage in activities that require movement and object manipulation.
What is an example of tactile learning?
A pupil learning to tie a knot by doing it themselves rather than just watching a demonstration is an example of tactile learning.
What is a tactile learning style?
Tactile learning style is the method of learning in which using touch and physical experiences to gather and absorb information is emphasized,
What is the difference between kinesthetic and tactile learning?
Although they are linked, kinesthetic and tactile learning is not the same. While tactile learning focuses on the sensation of touch and the manipulation of objects, kinesthetic learning is more concerned with physical movement and muscle memory.
A kinesthetic learner could choose hands-on activities like sports or building things. In contrast, a tactile learner might favor activities that require manipulating textures and materials, like working with clay or drawing.
References:
https://learningabledkids.com/multi_sensory_training/page10-tactile1.htm
https://www.wgu.edu/blog/what-tactile-learning2008.html#close
https://www.showmeimages.com/news/tactile_learner.html
https://goodsensorylearning.com/blogs/news/tactile-learning-strategies
https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/blog/types-of-learning-styles/
https://studyright.net/blog/tactile-learning-style-to-succeed-in-school/
https://studyright.net/blog/kinesthetic-tactile/
https://studyright.net/blog/successful-tactile-learner/
https://studyright.net/blog/how-to-use-kinesthetic-learning/
https://www.gradehacker.com/blog/study-as-a-tactile-learner/
https://francescocirillo.com/products/the-pomodoro-technique
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/classroom-pa.htm#:~:text=Improving%20their%20concentration%20and%20ability,higher%20grades%20and%20test%20scores).