By knowing what your child’s learning style, is, you will be able to enhance their ability to take in and retain the concepts and knowledge they need to in order to get the most out of their education.
As we look at each of the 7 learning styles, it is important to remember that most children (adults, too) will have a combination of 2, possibly 3, learning styles.
Read the brief definition of each style to determine which one(s) best describe your child. Once you understand how your child learns, you can use the helpful hints to make learning more enjoyable and effective.
1. Visual learners
Visual learners prefer to learn through sight. They will comprehend pictures, images, diagrams and other visual aids to express and explain concepts.
To help a visual learner learn, you can provide instructional videos and posters, decorate their room with posters or prints of educational things such as the solar system, the classics, where our food comes from, aquatic life, etc.
Visual learners will also soak up field trips to the zoo, omni-max theatres and educational television such as the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, the History Channel and so on.
2. Auditory learners
Auditory learners are those who listen best. To enhance the education of your auditory learner reading aloud, music and even audiobooks and instructional materials will be well-received.
Reading, music, and even language skills will be easily reinforced through these types of materials. As for math skills, you will need to use math videos will often do the trick.
Auditory learners will be the ones who thrive in lecture-type settings. If at school, this type of learner is expected to work independently a great deal of the time, he will be more likely to struggle, and may probably need auditory reinforcement at home.
3. Verbal learners
Verbal learners are among the most flexible and well-rounded children. Their love of both words and sounds make learning fun and interesting no matter which way it is put before them.
Children who enjoy words will generally enjoy listening and reading for themselves. They may prefer one style over the other, but will not be turned off by alternatives.
To enhance the verbal learner’s skills, spend as much time as possible reading to and with your child.
Provide them with a variety of subjects and types of materials including cookbooks which will enhance their math skills, hidden object books, word find puzzles, crosswords, and storybooks. Playing board games that require reading directions will be an enjoyment to them, as well.
4. Physical learners
Physical learners are those who love to learn through touch and movement. Hands-on activities are right up their alley.
Children who are physical learners thrive in classes where there are projects that require doing something; building, dancing, moving, acting…you get the picture. Their favourite subjects tend to be the sciences, physical education and drama. They will excel in others if the right atmosphere is provided.
The ‘right atmosphere’ to provide at home to enhance their learning includes art supply kits, cooking, science kits and even household chores. Children who are physical learners will enjoy visits to kid-friendly museums with interactive venues as well as learning woodworking, pottery and working with animals.
5. Logical learners
Logical learners are those that think things through. They may appear to be slow to act, but don’t let that fool you. They simply calculate the results of saying or doing before saying or doing.
Logical learners will also usually be visual learners, too. They like to see the logic in their thinking come to fruition. It shouldn’t surprise you that logical learners most always excel in math and sciences. The reason? They can see the results of their thoughts-everything they do makes sense and has a solution.
To help your logical learner get the most of their learning experience, provide them with a conversation on all sorts of topics. Listen and share opinions and ask them how they would solve certain problems.
It is also important to give them problems to solve in the way of puzzles, games, mystery and logic books and science project kits. They will also enjoy watching videos and movies that have a definite plot that involves a problem and solution. Fantasy and fairy tales will frustrate them.
6 & 7. Personality counts too
In addition to your child’s learning style (or combination of styles), you will need to take into consideration your child’s personality style.
Are they social or solitary? In other words, do they work better in groups and do they prefer playing and interacting with their friends over being alone? Are they easily distracted from the task at hand if there are others around?
Once you know this, you will be able to further your efforts to enhance your child’s learning atmosphere by giving them an environment that will make learning more enjoyable. To help you do so, think about the following.
Social learners:
- Are happiest when they are with friends;
- Can multi-task or hear and participate in 2 conversations/situations at a time;
- Enjoy-even crave-team sports;
- Don’t feel fear or intimidation when called upon in class;
- Relish class projects;
- Show leadership qualities even at an early age
- Relate the events and happenings of classmates with sincere interest.
Those who prefer solitude:
- Usually prefer being at home to being out and about;
- Shy away from team sports; choosing swimming, horseback riding and other more individualized activities over team sports;
- Dislike noise and find it distracting;
- Prefer to work alone;
- Never take the initiative to participate in group activities;
- Won’t usually be willing to read aloud in class or speak out in class;
- Will have one or two close friends over several friends.
Being in the know
By being involved and really knowing your child and what makes them ‘tick’, you will not only make your child’s life less stressful and more enjoyable, but you will be equipping them with the tools they need to enjoy and thrive in school and life, in general.
What are your kids’ learning styles? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
