What Is Your Child’s Learning Style? Getting a good understanding of how your child thinks and learns will make a world of difference in trying to educate them. We don’t want to try to stuff a square peg in a round hole.
Visual learners
These learners learn through seeing. They learn from reading and pictures. They use visual cues to retain information and organize their thoughts. They tend to appreciate illustrations with diagrams, maps, graphs, charts, color-coded things, and flashcards. They excel at visual activities such as art. They tend to recall words, people, and places. They also tend to be very interested in objects and the world around them. They may like watching videos where someone is walking them through the steps of a specific process. They can struggle with following directions that are not written out for them and tend to do best when they are provided with examples of the tasks they are working on.
Auditory learners
These learners learn by listening. They need to talk through things and listen to things verbally to process information. They thrive when stories, directions, and assignments are read aloud. They tend to love music and may sing while playing or doing schoolwork. These learners learn through repetitive descriptions, rhyming, and jingles. They also tend to talk to others and themselves a lot. Because they like to be heard, they may disrupt a room. They like to ask a lot of questions. It can be hard to keep their attention.
Kinesthetic or tactile learners
These learners learn by moving, doing, and touching. They tend to do well at sports. They use experiences and activities to understand, process, and remember information. They may thrive with building and drawing. They tend to like projects and acting. They need to take frequent breaks from sitting and studying. They do best at those times if they can chew gum or have something in their hands. (I gave my son access to a “fidget spinner,” a stress ball, and “slime.”) They may also do well with using a computer. They tend to like pushing the buttons. As you can imagine, these students will get into trouble in a school setting where they cannot take breaks from sitting. Instead of structured learning, these learners may do well when given a list of tasks to be completed by the end of the day. They can surprise you when you provide them with the freedom to complete tasks in their own way. If that doesn’t work, provide them with short learning sessions and a break every 15 to 20 minutes, depending on age. You can set a timer for that amount of time. Then take a 5- to 10-minute break. Do this three or four times and then allow a 15-minute break at the end of a completed task. These methods can also work for learners that have ADHD.
Reading & writing learners
These learners often take notes and write things down. They find value in rewriting their notes and reading them out loud. They are easily self- taught. They enjoy writing essays, reports, and even stories. They love reading books and tend to be good at recalling what they have read. They like to spend time alone in a quiet space. They do well when they can write down instructions for their task, and they appreciate textbooks and handouts. They tend to have good communication skills and can usually get what they need or want from others because of this.
Learners with sensory issues
Overstimulation is one of the main reasons that learners with ADHD or autism struggle. A classroom with fluorescent lights, a loud- talking teacher, 20 fidgeting students, and tons of posters, pictures, and rustling paper can be overstimulating for anyone, especially a child with sensory issues. Homeschooling offers a learner who struggles with sensory issues a more cohesive learning environment. Parents of these learners can create an environment that helps them stay focused and calm.
Important ideas for parents of learners with sensory issues to take into consideration.
Make sure that your learner’s seat is to their liking, and consider having a band for the chair to keep their feet busy. That way, they can still move while they are seated.
Some learners may benefit from a weighted lap pad.
Find the friendliest lighting. Lighting is a personal thing that is very important to someone with sensory issues. If possible, ask your learner what lighting they are most comfortable in. Many times it will be less
Essential oils like rosemary and peppermint can increase alertness. Oils like cedarwood and lavender offer a calming scent.
For some, any sounds, like music, a television, or talking, can be irritating and highly distracting.
Creating the best learning environment with and for your learner is very important. It will be rewarding as you watch them flourish and grow in their new sensory-friendly environment.