The 3 learning styles: kinesthetic, visual, and auditory

Working out how to explain something in a way your child understands can take a bit of experimentation. Sometimes, your child needs to see an idea. Other times, they need to hear it explained or try it for themselves.

If that sounds familiar, you’re already seeing the three learning styles in action: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.

These styles describe the different ways children take in and make sense of information. But here’s the catch: most kids don’t stick to just one. According to the Education Endowment Foundation, most kids learn in more than one way, and what works for them can change over time.

Your child might prefer visuals for reading, discussion for storytelling, and hands-on learning for math. And that’s completely normal.

In this article, we explore the three different learning styles, what they look like in real life, and how to support your child without overcomplicating things.

Key takeaways

• Most children learn through a mix of all three learning styles.
• Learning styles are helpful preferences, not fixed labels.
• Your child’s preferences may change by subject and over time.
• bina’s teachers combine all three approaches in multidisciplinary lessons.

All about visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles

Every child learns differently — here’s how to support them.

Visual learners

Visual learning is understanding and remembering information best through images, videos, or demonstrations.

Children who lean toward visual learning enjoy seeing information laid out clearly. They find it easier to follow along in class and understand new ideas through text and visual stimuli such as diagrams. Long spoken explanations may be harder to follow without visual aids to guide them.

At bina, we give visual learners plenty to look at. Our live lessons are filled with visual storytelling and creative projects that turn big ideas into something kiddos can see and interact with.

Signs your child may be a visual learner:

• Draws pictures to explain ideas
• Remembers what a page looked like
• Enjoys videos, charts, and illustrated books
• Uses colors, symbols, or sketches to organize their thinking

Ways to support a visual learner:

• Turn explanations into quick sketches or diagrams
• Use visual aids such as index cards and videos
• Color-code keywords and information
• Use mind maps to connect related ideas
• Ask your child to create a poster, timeline, or visual summary

Auditory learners

Auditory learning is a way of understanding information through listening. It happens through verbal instructions, discussions, and storytelling.

Auditory learners enjoy asking questions and hearing someone explain an idea rather than figuring it out from written instructions alone.

Sitting silently with a worksheet for long periods can feel frustrating for them, especially if they haven’t had a chance to talk through the concept first.

If your kiddo is an auditory learner, they may thrive in a classroom with regular class discussions and interactions with teachers and classmates. bina’s live lessons are filled with questions and lively small-group discussions, creating an environment where they can learn best.

Signs your child may be an auditory learner:

• Repeats new information out loud to remember it
• Loves being read to or listening to stories
• Explains concepts verbally to others
• Talks through problems to find the answer
• Enjoys learning through class discussions

Ways to support an auditory learner:

• Use educational podcasts and read‑alouds for teaching
• Explain instructions aloud before your child begins
• Ask them to explain what they learned in their own words
• Use songs, rhymes, and audiobooks to reinforce ideas
• Pair discussion with independent reading and writing practice

Things to keep in mind:

• Conversation is valuable, but it shouldn’t be the only learning method.
• Encourage independent reading, writing, and visual learning too.
• Using different learning approaches helps your child become a more flexible learner.

Kinesthetic learners

Kinesthetic learning is a hands-on learning style that connects new ideas with physical movement and tactile experiences.

Kinesthetic learners understand the world through movement, action, and hands-on experiences. Rather than hearing about a new idea, they need to build it, test it, or experience it themselves before the information sinks in.

Every lesson at bina gives lively learners space to move, with 15-minute brain breaks after each teaching block. From virtual Pictionary to putting on puppet shows for classmates, our digital playgrounds are full of fun, hands-on activities.

Signs your child may be a kinesthetic learner:

• Finds it difficult to sit still for long periods
• Uses movement or their hands to explain ideas
• Wants to try a task rather than watch it being demonstrated
• Enjoys field trips and learning outside the classroom

Ways to support a kinesthetic learner:

• Include experiments and role‑play throughout the day
• Teach abstract concepts with objects like LEGO
• Practice measuring and counting while baking
• Add short movement breaks between activities
• Let your child build or act out what they’re learning

Something to be mindful of:

• Movement can sometimes be mistaken for distraction or restlessness.
• Notice whether moving helps your child focus and process information.
• Not every lesson needs to involve constant activity.
• Regular opportunities to explore, create, and learn by doing can help.

Why the 3 learning styles don’t tell the whole story

Learning styles are a helpful framework, but kids aren’t just one type. Every child’s learning changes depending on the subject, how it’s being taught, and even how they’re feeling that day.

Think about your own kiddo. They might enjoy reading with colorful illustrations, love talking through a bedtime story, but insist on using blocks or counters when practicing math.

This is true for most children. Learning preferences naturally shift with age, confidence, the learning environment, and the task in front of them. Research published in the International Journal of Science and Research found that while many children show a preference for one learning style, most use a combination of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic approaches depending on what they’re learning.

That’s why, at bina, we don’t teach according to learning style labels. Our precision education approach allows teachers to observe how each child is engaging in the moment and adapt their support accordingly. Rather than assuming one approach will always work, we respond to the child in front of us, helping every kiddo learn in the way that works best for them.

Simple ways to support different learning styles at home

You don’t need to work out your child’s “type” before you can support them. The best thing you can do is give them lots of different ways to learn.

• Don’t rely on one learning style. Even if your child has a favorite learning method, they’ll benefit from different educational techniques.

• Let your child explore. Give them the freedom to discover what works best. Encourage them to experiment and explore topics in ways that feel exciting to them.

• Use multi-sensory learning. Draw it, talk about it, build it, and experience it. The more connections children make, the more memorable learning becomes.

• Stay flexible. Learning preferences change from one subject to another and over time. If one approach isn’t working, don’t be afraid to try something different.

We love all kinds of learners at bina

Learning styles can be a helpful starting point, but the best learning environments don’t stop there. They stay flexible.

At bina, that flexibility is built into every lesson. A typical class moves from a story or question to a group discussion, then to a hands-on activity where kids create something of their own. Rather than relying on one teaching method, we give children multiple ways to explore, understand, and apply new ideas.

With small classes and our personalized approach to education, every kiddo gets the support they need to thrive. Rather than a fixed pace or a single method, teaching is shaped around your child so they feel supported, engaged, and excited to learn.

If you’re wondering whether your child would thrive at bina, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch and find out more about what learning at bina is all about.