It’s no secret that your child has preferences! The countless shirts with “llama-corns,” or the reoccurring Lego lunchbox. That particular dinner that they always finish. Kids are not shy when it comes to their own unique style, but have you caught onto their learning style? Chances are, they’re showing it to you, and you haven’t picked up on it yet!

 

Every child has their own unique way of approaching and retaining new information. When schooling from home, it is imperative to understand your child’s learning style. By doing so, you will be able to support your student and see real educational progress. It will help you create a learning environment that meets their individual needs.

 

Take a moment to look at the different learning styles below. Does your “llama-corn” loving child fit into any of these categories? If not, your child may be multi-modal. They could have the ability to effectively utilize all of these learning styles. Below, I will not only explain the different modes but also how to identify them within your learner.

 

Learning Styles

According to the VARK learning styles model, there are four main types of learners: visual, reading/writing, kinesthetic, and auditory.

 

Is My Child a Visual Learner?

A visual learner pays close attention to images, displays, and their surroundings. They use these models to effectively retain and apply new information. Here are a few behaviors that you may notice with your visual learner –

  • Employs a vivid imagination
  • Quickly comments on art and images
  • Needs to “see it, in order to believe it”
  • Has an intuitive understanding of body language
  • Immediately takes notice to the images on a page, before the words

 

Is My Child a Reading/Writing Learner?

Your reading and writing learner demonstrates excellent comprehension skills. They quickly respond to literature with their own takeaway and understanding. This is often referenced as a second form of a visual learning style. Do these ring true with your child?

  • Has an interest in reading books with very few visual aids
  • Often takes notes on new information as a way to retain it
  • Quickly applies information from a reading

 

Is My Child a Kinesthetic Learner?

A kinesthetic learner is attentive to more tactile experiences. Activities that are hands-on and engage the senses tend to resonate with them. Have you noticed any of these tendencies with your child?

  • Consistently engages in hands-on activities
  • Learns new concepts by physically connecting the pieces
  • Not interested in staying still for long periods of time (or fidgets)
  • Remains persistent when experiencing trial and error with building materials

 

Is My Child an Auditory Learner?

An auditory learner prefers a verbal explanation of directions or a topic. They can easily recall information that they have heard. Do these trends sound familiar?

  • Hums or talks to self while working
  • Often engages in conversation with others
  • Reads aloud
  • Practices new information by reciting it

 

How Can I Identify My Child’s Learning Style?

Good question! If you’re interested in identifying their learning style, then chances are you’ve taken an interest in their day-to-day activities. Many are visual learners, as evidenced by this information obtained from the Current Health Sciences Journal –

learning styles pie chart with blue, orange, gray

 

  • Take some time to observe your child during free play.

    • Visual Learning Style –
      Are they vividly recreating an image of your trip to the zoo?

    • Reading and Writing Learning Style –
      Maybe your child used the last of the Post-It notes when labeling “do not disturb” all over their door.

    • Kinesthetic Learning Style –
      Are they focused on creating another Lego starship?

    • Auditory Learning Style –
      Are they humming to themselves, or initiating conversations?

  • Read a non-fiction book with your child.

    • Visual Learning Style –
      Did they flip through it and comment on the pictures first?

    • Reading and Writing Learning Style –
      Did they dive in and start reading?

    • Kinesthetic Learning Style –
      Did they mention re-creating or building something pertaining to the topic?

    • Auditory Learning Style –
      Are they insisting that you read it, or that they would rather listen to an audiobook?

  • Watch them while completing homework.

    • Visual Learning Style –
      Did they draw components of the topic to solve the problem?

    • Reading and Writing Learning Style –
      Did they take a copious amount of notes?

    • Kinesthetic Learning Style –
      Did they fidget or talk the whole time? Did they mention recreating something they saw?

    • Auditory Learning Style –
      Are they reciting the information they read? Perhaps they often request that you engage in conversation or read their homework to them.

  • Take a Learning Styles Quiz online!

    • Try out this Learning Styles Quiz from the TeacherLists website. It is perfect for your younger learners and identifies which of your chosen statements align with a learning style. You can access the link here!

    • The Education Planner website has a wonderful “What’s Your Learning Style Self-Assessment” for older children. It will not only identify your learning style, but it will assist in how to take advantage of the knowledge. This particular test will identify a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner. Take a few minutes to ask your child some of the questions. You can find it here!

 

What To Do Now?

Okay, let’s help you get through those homeschooling days! The results from the Education Planner “Learning Styles Self-Assessment” can guide your next steps as you assist your child at home. Here is a compilation of different ideas to implement based on your learner’s needs.

 

My Visual Learner

  • Use flashcards to teach and review
  • Encourage your child to visualize new topics
  • Color code school supplies
  • Provide the opportunity to summarize a reading with a picture
  • Create color-coded schedules

My Reading and Writing Learner

  • Have your child write down new words and main points
  • Prepare written instructions for assignments when given orally
  • Pair fiction and non-fiction texts for more in-depth learning
  • Make written schedules

My Kinesthetic Learner

  • Allow your child to move and fidget
  • Provide opportunities to finger trace words and numbers
  • Permit frequent breaks and walks
  • Have them recreate the topic by building, or combine it with a sensory activity
  • Create a schedule where they can remove what was completed

My Auditory Learner

  • Read directions and assignment requirements aloud
  • Read quiz and test questions aloud
  • Record your child spelling words aloud and replay
  • Generate a scheduled timer system on their devices for their schedule

 

Way to Go!

Are you seeing your Lego or “llama-corn” loving child in a different light? Perhaps you’ve been working at home with them wondering why some days click, and others are a struggle. The fact is, every student learns in their own unique way. Once their learning style is determined, it’s easier for you and other educators to generate materials for success.

 

Kudos to YOU for taking an interest in how to support your at-home learner. You took the time to get to know your child’s learning style, and in doing so helped them understand their needs for later success. They can now think critically about the tools and strategies that will help them in high school and even college. Your attentiveness just opened up a world of opportunities.

 

About the Author: Amy Dajczak is a kindergarten teacher at PA Virtual.

 

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Photo by Ben Mullins on Unsplash