What Learning Style Is Your Child?

By Tina McNelis Arozena – The Big Easy Homeschooling Mom

May 13, 2024

Due to their individuality, children also have different learning styles.  A child’s educational experience can be greatly improved by being aware of and conscious of the variety of learning styles.  The eight distinct learning styles will be discussed in this article, along with advice on how to recognize them in your child.  We’ll also look at curriculum modifications and instructional strategies that can be used in the same home to accommodate different learning styles.

1. VISUAL LEARNERS:

Visual learners require information to be seen in order to be well understood.  The best learning tools for kids are often graphics, graphs, charts, and videos.  They have an excellent visual memory, so they can recall what they’ve seen with ease.

How to Identify Visual Learners: 

During lectures or directions, they frequently scribble or draw.  Visual aids such as charts, graphs, and pictures appeal to them.  While they may have trouble recalling spoken instructions, they have a tendency to remember faces well.

Curriculum for Visual Learners:

• Incorporate as many visual aids as possible into your classes, including diagrams, pictures, and videos.
• Utilize color coding to emphasize important points and arrange information.
• Urge them to make concept or mind maps so they can illustrate concepts with images.

Accommodating Multiple Children Who Are Visual Learners:

• Give every youngster a personalized collection of visual aids based on their preferred methods of learning.
• Permit projects including the creation of infographics, posters, or presentations for visual learners to showcase their comprehension.

2.  AUDITORY LEARNERS:

For auditory learners, speaking and listening are the best ways to absorb knowledge.  They do best in settings where knowledge is imparted orally, through debates, and through lectures.  They can hear subtle differences in pitch and tone.

How to Identify Auditory Learners:

• They take pleasure in engaging in debates and discussions in class.
• While learning, they may read aloud to themselves.
• They may have trouble following written directions and are easily distracted by noise.

Curriculum for Students Who Learn by Hearing:

• Make use of podcasts, audiobooks, and lectures that have been recorded as additional educational tools.
• Promote debates and discussions in groups to strengthen language-based learning.
• Give them the chance to teach things to others or to explain them out loud.

Accommodating Multiple Children Who Are Auditory Learners:

• When others may be working on more hands-on or visual projects, schedule quiet study times for auditory learners.
• For auditory learners, find quiet settings or use headphones to reduce interruptions during study periods.

3.  VERBAL LEARNERS:

Words, both spoken and written, are essential to verbal learners. When it comes to speaking, writing, listening, and reading, they do exceptionally well. They frequently have a solid command of the language and love wordplay and storytelling.

How to Identify Verbal Learners:

• They adore composing stories or journal entries and devouring books.
• Word games like Scrabble and crossword puzzles are something they like to play.
• As they work through issues or finish chores, they might speak out loud.

Curriculum for Verbal Learners:

• To encourage critical thinking and analysis, give reading assignments that include comprehension questions.
• To show that they grasp the material, have them produce essays, reports, or poetry.
• Participate in conversations and debates to improve their communication abilities.

Accommodating Multiple Children Who Are Verbal Learners:

• Offer a range of reading resources to suit varying interests and reading levels, such as books, articles, and digital information.
• Set up reading groups so that verbal learners can discuss their views and discoveries with their siblings.

4.  PHYSICAL LEARNERS:

Physical experiences and activities are the most effective ways for physical learners, sometimes referred to as kinesthetic learners, to learn. They do best in settings that allow them to investigate, touch, and manipulate objects in order to comprehend ideas.

How to Identify Physical Learners: 

• They frequently convey themselves through gestures or body language.
• They take pleasure in construction, crafting, and experimentation.
• Long stretches of time spent sitting motionless may be challenging for them, and they may learn best by doing.

Curriculum for Physical Learners:

• Lessons should include interactive exercises, simulations, and practical experiments.
• Give children the chance to participate in role-playing, dramatization, and interactive games to strengthen their learning.
• Urge them to develop concept models, prototypes, or creative depictions.

Accommodating Multiple Children Who Are Physical Learners:

• Establish a physical activity and exploration area where kids can participate in interactive learning without disturbing other kids.
• Let students who are physically able to take charge of hands-on chores work together on projects that entail constructing, making, or conducting tests.

5.  SOCIAL LEARNERS:

Social learners learn best when they are interacting with other people and do best in collaborative environments. They take pleasure in exchanging experiences, debating concepts, and working in groups. They like to learn from their peers and cherish relationships.

How to Identify Social Learners:

• They could look for chances to collaborate with others and favor group activities.
• They take pleasure in taking part in clubs, community events, and team sports.
• If they spend a lot of time studying by themselves, they could get fidgety or lose interest.

Curriculum for Social Learners:

• Through cooperative learning exercises, peer teaching, and group projects, create collaborative learning settings.
• To improve their social learning possibilities, encourage them to join clubs, volunteer, or participate in extracurricular activities.
• In order to support virtual group conversations and projects, provide online venues for communication and cooperation.

Accommodating Multiple Children Who Are Social Learners:

• Create opportunities for group learning experiences where children can work together on projects or assignments.
• Balance group activities with independent tasks to accommodate the varying needs and preferences of each child.

6.  LOGICAL LEARNERS:

Logical learners, or mathematical learners, are excellent at analysis, reasoning, and problem-solving. They are good at identifying patterns, connecting ideas, and coming to conclusions. They do well in structured surroundings.

How to Identify Logical Learners:

• They take pleasure in working through math challenges, brainteasers, and puzzles.
• They are drawn to logic, science, and mathematics among other subjects.
• They could ask why things are done a certain way or look for logical justifications for ideas.

Curriculum for Logic-Based Learners:

• Give students the chance to practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills by assigning them tasks like data analysis, experimentation, and math problem-solving.
• Present information in an orderly fashion by using logical sequencing and detailed directions.
• To get logical learners involved in active learning, include logic games, puzzles, and challenges.

Accommodating Multiple Children Who Are Logical Learners:

• Assign each youngster a range of difficult assignments and problem-solving exercises based on their interests and skill level.
• Give logical learners the chance to mentor or help their siblings grasp difficult ideas or solve challenges.

7.  SOLITARY LEARNERS:

Solitary learners, also referred to as intrapersonal learners, like to work privately and absorb information best in private. They appreciate activities that let them independently explore ideas and concepts since they are self-motivated and introspective.

How to Identify Solitary Learners:

• They take pleasure in solitary pursuits like writing, reading, and working on personal projects.
• They could have a deep inner life and take their time thinking back on their experiences.
• In situations that are really stimulating or social, they could feel overwhelmed or nervous.

Curriculum for Solitary Learners:

• Give students the chance to learn on their own by assigning them self-paced tasks, journaling, or conducting independent research.
• Provide peaceful areas where lone learners can concentrate without interruptions for studying or introspection.
• Motivate them to make individual progress monitors and set personal targets.

Accommodating Multiple Children Who Are Solitary Learners:

• Give solitary learning spaces a defined area to respect people’s right to solitude and personal space.
• Assist lone learners with their work at their own pace and on their own schedule, offering assistance and direction when required.

8.  NATURE LEARNERS:

Nature learners, also referred to as naturistic learners, have a strong bond with the natural world and find that firsthand interactions with flora, fauna, and outdoor settings are the greatest ways to learn. They do best in environments that let them explore and enjoy the natural world.

How to Identify Nature Learners:

• They like being outside, watching wildlife, and investigating natural areas.
• It’s possible that they are really interested in environmental science, biology, and ecology.
• If they are kept indoors for an extended period of time, they could get agitated or disconnected.

Curriculum for Nature Learners:

• Incorporate outdoor activities, field trips, and nature walks into lessons to connect learning with the natural world.
• Create opportunities for hands-on exploration and observation of plants, animals, and ecosystems.
• Encourage them to keep nature journals or participate in citizen science projects to document their observations and discoveries.

Accommodating Multiple Children Who Are Nature Learners:

• Arrange for nature-based activities or family outings that include other family members and satisfy the interests and preferences of nature learners.
• Include lessons and projects with a natural theme in the curriculum to give all kids the chance to learn about and have an appreciation for the natural world.

In conclusion, understanding the diverse learning styles of children is essential for creating inclusive and effective learning environments.  By recognizing and accommodating each child’s unique learning preferences, parents can empower them to reach their full potential and foster a lifelong love of learning.  By embracing the diversity of learning styles within the household, parents can create a supportive and enriching educational experience for all their children.