Your Child’s Learning Style
There is no right or wrong learning style. Most people show a preference for one of the following basic learning styles: visual, auditory, or kinesthetic/manipulative. It is not uncommon to combine more than one style.
ACTIVITY Ask yourself and your child what comes to mind when you hear the word “dog.” Some people see a picture of the animal, some hear a dog’s bark, while others visualize the animal ,”dog.”
Visual – Those who see a picture of a dog in their mind’s eye or see the letters are probably visual. “Visual learners learn by watching. They call up images from the past when trying to remember. They picture the way things look in their heads. Forty percent of secondary students fall into this category. ”
Auditory – While those who hear the bark are probably auditory learners. Auditory learners learn best by listening and remember when information is presented in a poem, song, or melody.
Kinesthetic – Those who feel the soft fur of a dog are probably kinesthetic learners. Kinesthetic learners learn best through movement or touch rather than seeing or hearing information. For example, a young learner may learn to spell new words by manipulating letter blocks, older students by working on crossword puzzles.
Trying these different methods may prevent your child from feeling frustrated or inadequate. Once you know which learning style is most effective for your child, you can tailor helping him with his homework and other learning opportunities at home.
