Bodily-Kinesthetic Learners

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

              Elton moved constantly. His chair leaned back and forth throughout the lesson. He tapped his pencil and clicked his pen. His shoes were on and off in a matter of minutes. And he continuously bounced one or both of his legs. Elton simply struggled being still.

              He played baseball and was a star in his league. In football, he played quarterback and led his team to win most of their games. And he’s the only kid who ever entered my classroom doing cartwheels while still wearing his backpack. But there is one day I’ll never forget. One of my partner teachers sent an urgent message and I hurried to her classroom. Somehow, Elton had zipped his head up in his book bag and the zipper was stuck. I had to step outside the room and laugh. Only Elton.

              This kid challenged me. He needed to move constantly, and I had to help him do it in a way that would enhance his learning. The first change was allowing him to sit at my back table in a spinning office chair during whole group instruction. But, if he wanted to keep that spot, he had to always be ready to answer anything at any time to let me know he was paying attention. Then I began researching and implementing Kagan strategies. These activities include moving around the classroom in an organized, purposeful manner to complete specific group tasks. I also began researching how to use physical movement to memorize specialized vocabulary and practice different concepts. These changes made me think outside the box, but in the end, my entire class benefited from the changes, not just Elton.

              Hands-on projects, scavenger hunts, physical movement, dancing, jumping, squatting, imitating; all these can be incorporated in a classroom no matter the age. Flexible seating options, fidget toys, shortened whole group teaching times, changing activities every ten minutes, and offering the use of clipboard as an alternative to desks can also help these wigglers.

              But no matter how frustrating their movement might be, don’t forget who these kids will grow up to be. They are your classroom teachers, coaches, trainers, mechanics, athletes, medical professionals, and physical therapists. They will find the most joy in life when they are able to use their hands and bodies to perform. We need these Bodily-Kinesthetic folks.  

              In what ways have hands-on projects and movement in the classroom been beneficial to you as a teacher? As a student? How can you include more of this and help balance the type of learning taking place?

Do the Heart Work

1.      Do you include enough movement in your teaching? If not, why?

2.      Which of your students would benefit from lessons that included more physical movements and hands-on learning?

3.      How did hands-on activities and lessons that encouraged movement impact you as a student?

Digging Deeper

              King David was known for his musical ability, demonstrative worship, talents with a sling, and skills as a warrior. Many of our gifts are related to our Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence. Read these verses and think about how important it is to teach our students to use their body correctly. Not only might they use their bodies for a career, but they could also use their bodies to bring glory to our God.

1.      God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. Psalm 18:32 (NLT)

2.      The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace. Psalm 29:11 (NLT)

3.      God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 45:1 (NLT)

4.      He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people. 2 Chronicles 32:8 (NLT)

5.      She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. Proverbs 31:17 (NLT)

6.      Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)

If You Get Spare Time 

              Analyze your teaching style; not from the perspective of your requirements, but from the eyes of your students. Are they engaged? Are they tracking?  Do they look forward to your teaching? Do you look forward to your teaching? If you aren’t having fun, neither are they. If you are struggling, they will too. If you’re tired of the mundane, they absolutely are too. How could physical movement and hands-on learning take your classroom learning experience to the next level?