Every single child learns differently. Some can read a page once and remember everything, but others need to see here and try something a few times before it truly sticks. And then there are the kids who seem to learn best while upside down on the couch. Learning styles are wonderfully unique, and understanding how your child learns best can make a big difference in how confident and successful they are throughout their school career.
A learning style describes the way someone prefers to take in and understand information. While children often use a mix of styles, many tend to favour one or two methods more than others. Teachers in many environments, including an International School, often use a variety of teaching approaches to support different learning styles in the classroom. The three commonly discussed learning styles are visual, auditory and kinesthetic.
The visual learner.
Visual learners love to see the information they’re taking in. These children often understand better through diagrams, charts, pictures, and written instructions. They may enjoy reading, drawing, and using color to organize notes. Some of the signs that your child might be a visual learner include the fact that they enjoy books, pictures, and videos. They remember the things that they’ve seen, and they like making lists or drawing ideas. If this sounds like your child, mind maps, flash cards, colorful notes, and other such tools can help to make learning easier and more fun.
The auditory learner.
Auditory learners prefer to hear information. These are the children that learn well through discussions, storytelling, verbal explanations, and even music. They may remember things they’ve heard in class or enjoy repeating information out loud. Clues that your child may be an auditory learner include the fact that they enjoy talking through their ideas and remember spoken instructions very well. They may like rhymes, rapping music, or reading aloud. Encouraging them to explain things back to you, discuss topics, or listen to educational podcasts reinforces their learning.
The kinesthetic learner.
Kinesthetic learners are the doers and the hands on explorers of the learning world. They learn best by moving, experimenting, and doing things with their hands physically to remember the movements. Sitting still for long periods can be challenging because their brains work best when their bodies are involved. Some of the signs of a kinesthetic learner include the fact that they enjoy building, experimenting, or crafting things, and they learn very quickly through physical activity. They prefer interactive lessons and real-life examples, and for these learners, practical activities and experiments really do matter.
When children learn in ways that suit them, they often feel more confident and they can engage better in their learning. This doesn’t mean they should only use one learning style, but it does help to lean towards their strengths. Parents don’t have to have a battle with their children, and while learning styles can be helpful to understand, every child is wonderfully unique. Some days they may want to read quietly, and other days they want to listen to a podcast while bouncing around the room, and that’s perfectly OK.
