Leveraging Kinesthetic, Visual, and Auditory Learning Styles

Understanding how you learn best is the secret to actually enjoying life. Working with your brain and your learning styles will have you enjoying school, picking up new hobbies more easily, and finding success at work.  

This is part two of a three-part series on learning styles. This part will show you how to maximize your learning style if you’re an Auditory, Visual, and Kinesthetic learner.  

Just like every person is different, so is how we absorb and process information. Let’s see which strategies might resonate with you and help you learn more easily. 

What is a learning style?  

A learning style is how an individual prefers to acquire and process new information. It’s how someone best understands, retains, and applies knowledge. Seven learning styles cater to cognitive preferences, sensory modalities, and personal experiences. Not sure which learning modalities you like best? Check out our complete guide to learning styles.  

Auditory Learning Style 

If you're someone who learns by talking it out, chances are you're an auditory learner. You're probably into podcasts and audiobooks. If you could set up your own classroom, everyone's desks would be in a circle. Talking things through would be the norm and lectures are more like a once-a-week thing. Here are four ways you can harness your auditory strengths. 

1. Active listening 

Ask clarifying questions during class and lectures. In your notes, paraphrase what you’re hearing. These actions can help you fully process what you’re hearing. 

2. Audiobooks and podcasts 

If you’re really an auditory learner, you’re probably already listening to podcasts or audiobooks. You’re naturally drawn to these formats because they play to your strengths.  

If you can’t find the topic you’re learning about as an audiobook or podcast, try out a YouTube Premium subscription. It basically allows you to treat YouTube videos liksts. You’ll be able to turn the screen off on your phone while you listen to a YouTube video.  

3. Teach and discuss 

Even better than taking notes, talking helps you process the best. Hat means participating in discussions, teaching concepts to others, and participating in study groups. Try making a tutorial video, a quick TikTok about it or helping other students in your class. 

4. Listen and replay 

While you learn best by hearing and talking, it can be hard to keep track of everything you hear. If you can, record lectures or at least key information and listen back to it later. Before a big test or prepping for a project will be easier with audio notes. You can use your phone or laptop to record, or a digital voice recorder.  

Visual Learning Style 

You’re probably a visual learner if you color code your notes or enjoy infographics. You learn everything from YouTube or TikTok. You love making a diagram, chart, map, or video to process what you’re learning. Here are four ways to unlock your visual learning potential. 

1. Use visual aids 

Follow your instincts! YouTube, TikTok, and other videos are probably the easiest way for you to learn new things. If you need something static, diagrams, charts, and infographics will help you pick up concepts more easily.  

Want to take it to the next level? You can always ask your teacher if you can take videos of them in class or if they can make videos for you (Loom is a great option for this). They can at least try to make you a diagram!  

2. Color code and use emojis 

Color-coding and using emojis sparks your visual memory. Color code your notes, folders, calendar – anything you can! Even better? Use emojis to really drive it home. Label certain subjects and certain types of events consistently with certain emojis.  

3. Mind map  

When you need to process what you’ve learned, try creating a chart or diagram in something like Canva or Miiro. This will help you sort through all the thoughts floating around in your head and give you good reference material.  

4. Flashcards and infographics 

Have a big test coming up? Flashcards and infographics will be your best friend to reinforce learning. When you create these tools, you’ll also solidify and process the information in your mind, so these tools are a double-duty approach.

Kinesthetic Learning Style 

If you’re the kinesthetic style, trying something yourself is the best way for you to learn. Your favorite classes were STEAM, Woodshop, Art, Music, P.E./Gym., or you were in the school play. If you went to a Montessori, Waldorf, Steiner Reggio Emilia, Democratic, or Forest school and loved it, this is probably you, too. Here are four ways to captialize on your kinesthetic superpowers.   

Hands-on activities 

Experiments, role-playing, and interactive activities will help information sink in for you. Try out everything you learn as you learn it. So, if you need to learn from a video, pause throughout and try each step yourself.  

Movement breaks 

Movement helps get the gears turning for you. Incorporate movement into study sessions with activities like pacing, stretching, or using fidget toys. Listening to podcasts, videos (without watching), and audiobooks while walking can help you learn if you struggle with sitting still to read or watch a video.   

During class, fidget toys are also super helpful for your processing style – if your school allows them. If not, try doodling or drawing patterns on your notes.  

Real-life applications 

Have you ever asked, “Why do I need to learn this?” (and groaned after?). That’s because hypothetical concepts are difficult for kinesthetic learners to understand. Try to apply what you’re learning to real-world scenarios as much as possible. Not sure what those are? Ask your teacher, parents, tutor, or peers, politely!  

Multi-sensory learning 

Combinations of sensory experiences can help boost your learning. Sometimes Kinesthetic learners can’t focus because they’re actually understimulated. Combine tactile experiences with auditory and visual stimuli for enhanced learning.

Learning is an experiment 

You're the scientist, and your mind is the laboratory. Every person has a unique way of soaking up knowledge, and you might find that multiple learning styles fit you. Only one out of 10 people has a single learning style, so getting to know yourself is key if you want to learn new things.  

Finding your learning style and working with that style will maximize your life. Not just how you learn in school. It’ll help you succeed at work or as an entrepreneur. Working with your learning style will make it easier for you to pick up new hobbies (and actually get good at them).  

Try out different styles. Use the things you’re drawn to, even if it’s not for the learning style you think you might be. Whether it’s colorful mind maps or interactive group sessions, keep experimenting until you find the ones that truly resonate with you.  

By maximizing your learning style, you're not just making the process easier — you're unlocking your own limitless potential and paving the way for your life to be as rewarding as it can be. 

So, which strategy will you try?  

About the author

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rmeltzer
Website: meltzerseltzer.com