In this video, I discuss kinetic or physical learning approaches that I use in my son’s homework routine in order to help him learn more effectively. We use a physical alphabet cheer for spelling words among other activities.

I mentioned before that kinetic learning is the best learning methodology for my son – so I wanted to share with you some of the ways we incorporate kinetic learning into my son’s homework routines.

Quickly I will mention that my son’s learning issues are language processing based. He has receptive languages issues (concepts going in) as well as expressive language issues (formulation of thoughts, retrieval of words).

He is in the first grade so this is the first year where we have had to incorporate encoding or spelling into our homework routine. The typical approach of repetition, writing the spelling words, etc. was not really working for my son. So we developed a physical chant alphabet where each letter of the alphabet is assigned a body position. We practice his spelling words every night with the physical chants. His teacher is very accommodating (he is at a school focused on language processing issues) in that she tests him both in a written format and in a format where he can do our “cheers”. When we are practicing his spelling words – we do the physical cheers or chants over and over again – and get pretty silly with it. Its physical – its fun and it really does help him to remember his spelling words. The difference in his spelling tests before we starting doing the physical cheers and after is amazing!!

We also develop little tricks for those challenging areas of spelling such as double letters and silent “e”s. For instance, to help remember a silent “e” in a spelling word – we actually scream the e (the not so silent “e”) when practicing our cheers.

Also in nice weather, we like to go outside and spell out the words on the driveway in sidewalk chalk. Spelling things out with shaving cream is a favorite as well.

For counting and practicing counting by 5s, 10s, etc. … we simply pass a ball back and forth between us as he counts the numbers. We used that technique too, as I mentioned before, when he was learning the abstract concept of coins. We batted a paper die back and forth between us and when the paper die landed on the ground – he needed to identify the coin and its value.

I also allow him to do his homework while standing. It works for reading his word rings as well as writing. He helps him to not to be forced to sit.

Time is another abstract concept that we struggled with. I made a physical clock on the floor with 60 of his Matchbox cars using sticks to represent the big and little hands of the clock. He then would physically move the “hands” of the clock to represent the different hours and half hours of the day.

Really doing anything physical helps him – even hopping in place. The challenging part is that one approach is not always the answer. We need to consistently change the approach to keep him interested and engaged.

I hope this helps with some ideas for you and your child. Good luck. I look forward to next time!!