What’s Your Child’s Learning Style?
Lisa Pawlak
Most of us already have a sense
that people learn in a variety of ways. Perhaps you’ve noticed kids who count on their fingers, prefer to read aloud or always write things down. But did you know that there are seven different learning styles? Many individuals demonstrate a balance between all of them — but others show a primary affinity towards one. By identifying a child’s preferred learning style, parents can partner with teachers to target specific activities that complement these inclinations. Recognizing and supporting how your children learn best will help them thrive at school.
What are the different learning styles? Visual/Spatial: This type of young learner has a vivid imagination, good recollection, an interest in art and books, and an aptitude for reading. She loves to observe the surrounding world and responds best to written instructions or demonstrated examples. Auditory/Aural: This child tends to excel at musical or vocal activities, enjoys conversation, asks lots of questions, often talks and sings to herself, and prefers working in groups. She responds well to verbal instructions, music and discussion. Physical/Kinesthetic: Also known as a tactile learner, this child likes to move around while learning and often tends to fidget when sitting still. She learns by doing — and enjoys sports or hands-on activities. Verbal/Linguistic: These individuals prefer using words to learn — both in speech and in writing. Word-based techniques, scripting and reading aloud benefit them.
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Logical/Analytical: This learner loves to discover how things work and interrelate, asks a lot of questions, and thinks logically from a young age. She may show an early aptitude for math and is excellent at strategy-based games and activities. Social/Interpersonal: These kids love working with others and benefit from group learning situations. Solitary/Intrapersonal: A solitary learner prefers to learn alone and through self-study.
How does the use of technology impact a child’s learning style? Kids love using technology to learn. It’s probably no surprise that technology’s influx into the classroom brings a wealth of opportunities for positive change — as well as some challenges and concerns. Every child has the potential to learn when teaching methods are adjusted to their preferred learning style(s), but teachers often don’t have the time and resources to give each child such individualized focus. The use of technology can help personalize education in such situations. To start, technology can help children learn at their own pace. They can repeat lessons when needed for greater comprehension. Visual learners can download supplementary charts and graphics to support math lessons; auditory learners can read via audiobooks; kinesthetic learners can make use of electronic keyboards to keep their hands busy when struggling to sit still in class. ESL (English as a second language) learners and children with physical or learning disabilities — of all learning styles — can also benefit from technology at school.
Take action! Self-assess your learning style by taking the quiz at www.educationplanner.org/students/ self-assessments/learning-stylesquiz.shtml. Learn more about the seven learning styles at www.literacyplanet.com/au/news/ engage-7-types-learners-classroom. Create your family’s media plan (in English or Spanish) at www.healthychildren.org/English/ media.