Discover strategies to support visual, auditory & kinesthetic learners in childcare with inclusive teaching practices that boost engagement.
Children learn in diverse ways, and recognising these differences is key to supporting their growth. While most children show traits across multiple styles, they often have a dominant preference. By intentionally planning for visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning, educators can ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.
Visual Learners
Characteristics
- Strong imagination and interest in art
- Good memory for images, maps, and faces
- Notice details and body language
- Prefer charts, diagrams, and colour cues
Teaching Strategies
- Use visual aids like posters, graphs, and videos
- Provide craft materials and encourage drawing
- Describe colours, shapes, and sizes during instructions
- Seat them where they can clearly see the educator
Auditory Learners
Characteristics
- Strong verbal ability and love for discussions
- Enjoy music, singing, and oral repetition
- Prefer listening to instructions over reading them
- Easily distracted by background sounds
Teaching Strategies
- Incorporate songs, rhymes, and chants into lessons
- Encourage group discussions and oral presentations
- Provide opportunities to read aloud or listen to audiobooks
- Use an expressive tone and varied pitch when speaking
Kinesthetic Learners
Characteristics
- Thrive in sports, dance, and hands-on activities
- Often fidget or move while processing information
- Enjoy role play, building, and problem-solving through action
- Strong hand-eye coordination
Teaching Strategies
- Offer movement breaks during group time
- Use manipulatives like blocks, textured paper, or models
- Incorporate role play and drama into lessons
- Allow children to physically explore concepts
Practical Application for Educators
- Plan group activities that integrate all three styles (e.g., a science experiment with diagrams, verbal explanation, and hands-on exploration).
- Observe indicators in children’s play and responses to tailor support.
- Rotate strategies so each child experiences learning in multiple ways.
- Document observations in programming to show intentional teaching aligned with QA1 and QA5.
By embedding visual, auditory, and kinesthetic strategies into everyday routines, educators can create inclusive environments where every child’s learning style is valued. This intentional approach strengthens engagement, supports diverse abilities, and aligns with quality standards in Australian childcare practice.
Further Reading
Auditory Learners In Early Childhood
Visual Learning Style In Children
Kinesthetic Learning In Early Childhood