“Understanding Your Child's Unique Learning Style: A Parent's Quick Guide”

As stated in the very first blog, one of the goals in this season is to help parents become more confident in helping their children learn. This is can be done in many ways, and each I week attempt to give you nuggets to help in the process. Two very important questions that need to be asked are 1) what does it mean to learn and 2) how exactly does my child learn new information? To learn is to gain or acquire knowledge of or skill in by study, experience, or being taught. To be effective in helping a child learn, we must first understand the best way in which he or she does so. Why is this important you may ask? The same reason it's important to learn your partners love language- you have a better chance of reaching the person. Children will more likely become motivated and acquire new skills and knowledge when the effort is put into teaching and reinforcing in the ways that they learn best. While this may be a bit more difficult for a teacher to accomplish in a whole group setting on a regular basis, it's up to us as parents to do this work, since you know, we are a child's first, and I'd venture to say most important teacher. Follow along as I take you briefly through each unique learning style. The following list is comprised of 7 different learning styles and their characteristics.

Visual Learner

• Processes information best by seeing

• Prefers pictures, diagrams, charts, colors

• Likes seeing and watching demonstrations

• Needs something to watch- like a video, movie, play, etc...

• Tends to have vivid imagination, artistic abilities

Auditory Learner

• Processes information best by hearing

• Prefers music, sounds, rhyming

• Learns well through lectures

• Great at listening and repeating instructions

• Tends to prefer audiobooks

Kinesthetic Learner

• Processes information best by doing- hands on learning

• Prefers using body, hands, touch

• Uses movement concentration/stay on task

• Often fidgets, needs to stay active

• Tends to like to perform experiments, projects, crafts

Verbal Learner

• Processes information best by using words

• Prefers speech and writing

• Often asks/answers questions to help in learning

• Enjoys talking, reading outloud, making up stories

• Tends to like word games
  

Logical Learner

• Processes information in a straightforward way

• Prefers using logic reasoning

• Mathematically inclined

• Enjoys problem solving

• Tends to be organized and methodical

Social Learner

• Processes information best though discussions

• Prefers learning in groups

• Adapts to social situations

• Enjoys small group discussions

• Tends to be a 'social butterfly'
  

Solitary Learner

• Processes information best through personal self-study

• Prefers working alone

• Self-motivated

• Enjoys pursuing own interests

• Tends to need quiet spaces

I'm sure that after looking at this list you can begin to pinpoint areas in which your child might gravitate towards. It's important to note that your child may not necessarily fall under one specific learning style. There may be times where he or she may gravitate towards one or two, or several. As well, in different periods of a child's life, their learning styles may adapt. For example: I'm learning that my toddler learns in many different ways- he's a logical learner- he enjoys the satisfaction of trying to solve problems on his own before asking mommy or daddy to step in. At this stage he's always moving- preferring to listen to stories being read to him while playing, at times. And he's definitely listening because he can repeat back what I said. Right now it seems as if he's trying every style out, and as he gets older, he'll figure out what works best for him.

If you haven't yet figured out how you child learns, best- it's ok! Here are a few tips to get you started on this journey:

1. Observe: pay attention to their interests, motivations, how they work, any patterns they may have.

2. Ask: ask their teachers what their observations are of your child in the classroom

3. Discuss: have conversations with your child, you'll be surprised at what they will reveal. Simply ask them what motivates them to learn, what to teachers do to keep them interested; or in a perfect world, how would they prefer to gain new information.

Once you've tapped into what motivates your child, the next step is to teach/reinforce what they're learning in a way that best fits them. There are lots of resources out here to help, but I'm sure it can be a bit overwhelming. If you'd like more information, please reach out at info@bridginggapstutoring.com, and we'll be happy to assist you!