9 Study Tips for Kinesthetic Learners

By Carson King
Updated: November 10, 2020

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
– Benjamin Franklin

Did you know that only 5% of the Earth’s population are Kinesthetic learners? This means a few things:

• This is going to be my least popular blog
• There’s a limited supply of Kinesthetic-related research

Alas! Unlike the other learning styles (with thousands of posts, articles, and videos) the Kinesthetic community, in a way, has only had “5%” of the world’s attention. However, if you are one of the 5%, you should learn how to use your kinesthetic learning style to your advantage.

Let’s jump in, shall we?

1. Remember your strengths

“Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses.”
– Gary Vaynerchuck

There’s a lot of great things about Kinesthetic learners . . . so keep these in mind, and take advantage of them!

• Amazing motor-skill memory (what you do, you remember)
• Strong hand-eye coordination (good note takers)
• Good at experiments
• High energy levels
• Great at sports, art, and drama
• Able to associate information with feeling

Following these principles will ensure the most effective action possible.

2. Stretch all the time

“Don’t limit your challenges, challenge your limits.”
– Martonek Jr

The word Kinesthetic comes from Greek kinein “to move” and aisthesis “sensation.” You experience the world through movement. Anything you do with this theme of “movement” and “experience” will be greatly enhanced.

While it may seem like a lot, stretching regularly can be immensely beneficial.

• Increases blood flow (memory, efficiency)
• Improves mood
• Enhances flexibility
• Helps divide and organize tasks with “stretching” as a midpoint
• More effective study

The point is: don’t just read this, and do nothing. Take this seriously! Especially for Kinesthetic learners, this is extremely important. Try yoga. Dabble in YouTube tutorials. Your greatness lies in your movement . . . so move!

3. Empowering music

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.”
– Plato

Music has the power to inspire, direct, and empower us . . . a wonderful list of benefits! There’s tens of thousands of hours of music on YouTube, Spotify, and iTunes!

Experiment with different genres. Perhaps your favorite song is one you haven’t heard yet. Some suggestions:

• Meditative “relaxation” music
• Lofi
• Classical
• Gaming soundtracks
• Nature sounds (rain, river, birds)
• Movie soundtracks

Try them out! When done right, music can keep even the jumpiest Kinesthetic learner focused.

4. Study groups

“Group study is the best way to ensure that none of your friends have studied either.”
– Unknown

It’s true. Group study can be the bane and ruin of your study routine . . . or manna from heaven. It’s a double-edged sword.

For the wise Kinesthetic learner, it’s a time to blend studying with fun, socializing with learning, and movement with being productive.

Tips to make sure your study group is successful:

• Have a crystal-clear objective
• Come prepared to meet that objective (notes, books)
• Designate a “group guru” to moderate and keep things on track
• Bring fun and enjoyable snacks
• Plan the duration of the study, including breaks
• Review at the end
• Keep it tight–three to four people is best

Another thing? Competition stimulates growth! Divide into teams, or go FFA with flashcards, point systems, and rewards.

5. Be creative with movement

“The human spirit lives on creativity and dies in conformity and routine.”
– Vilayat Inayat Khan

Ultimately, moving is the most powerful thing you can do as a Kinesthetic learner. The benefits are countless, so instead of going over “why” you should move, let’s just pop out some ideas on “how” you could move.

• Roll a golf ball under your feet to relax those muscles
• Chew gum
• Spin a pen or pencil
• Use fidget toys (fidget spinners)
• Doodle study concepts in your notes
• Take “walking” breaks often
• Dance with music
• Smile! You’re alive! Your life is worth a smile
• Be creative :)

6. Tense . . . then release

“When all else fails . . .”
– Unknown

This is an absolutely last resort. Use this only when:

• The stars are aligned against your favor
• You woke up on the wrong side of the bed
• A black cat has crossed your path

If all else fails, this technique will grant you movement that nobody can ever take away from you. Teacher may tell you to “sit down,” or to stop “chewing gum.”

But they can never stop you from flexing.

It’s true! Using five to ten second intervals, focus on different parts of the body; tense, then relax . . . While simple, it increases blood flow, releases tension, and gives you something to do.

7. Try audio

“Always be listening and learning.”
– Adena Friedman

Listening to audio notes—either a recording of yourself, a podcast on Spotify, or even a documentary—gives you a rare opportunity. While Kinesthetic learners aren’t big Auditory learners, the ability to move while listening to audio can make all the difference.

You can literally do anything when listening to a podcast. 

I don’t understand why more students don’t do this. While listening, you can:

• Take a shower
• Go on a jog
• Eat food
• Walk outside
• Draw and doodle
• Do yoga
• Play mindless video games
• Clean your house

The possibilities are limitless. For Kinesthetic people in particular, it allows you 100% free range of motion.

8. Take advantage of your short attention span

“I guess I have a short attention span! I’m interested in new worlds, new universes, new challenges.”
– Alfonso Cuaron

This may not apply to every Kinesthetic learner . . . but there’s a good chance that if you’re a Kinesthetic learner, you have a short attention span.

Is that bad?

It doesn’t have to be. In fact, if you go with the flow of your attention, rather than against it, you could find your productivity skyrocketing. Instead of “forcing” yourself to sit at your desk for hours at a time, divide your tasks into sub-tasks and scatter them with other various tasks. These may include:

• Other projects
• Stretch breaks
• Walking around
• Reviewing notes
• Watching helpful videos
• Reading books
• Laundry
• Mindless tasks

As you switch from task to task (reading, stretching, homework, reading, watching videos) you’ll be able to spread your tasks throughout the day, making it easier to concentrate on smaller thirty minute sessions of homework, rather than a large chunk of two hours.

9. Associate information with feeling

“Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.”
– Kofi Annan

This is the core of all Kinesthetic learning. 

Every other tip here supports this principle.

So the final word? Experiment with color, texture, flavor, temperature and emotion—all of these tools give you an extra edge on the battlefield.

And—actually, you know what?

No matter what I tell you, you learn better by doing things anyway. So get out there! Good luck.

Music recommendations

Meditative ‘Ambient Study Music’

Lofi ‘Calm before the Storm’ 

Classical Music for Study and Brain Power

Epic Music Mix

Nature Sounds Forest