The art of learning is different for every child. From the time they are toddlers, children gravitate toward certain toys or preferred activities, whether it’s puzzles, books, music, blocks or a ball. A child’s preference for simple things like toys can guide parents on how to teach their child in a way that is productive for them.
When children get to be of school age, a simple test given to your child by their teacher or school can help confirm their learning style.
“Teachers (getting) to know their students is the best thing for success,” says Beth Turk, an intervention specialist at Menlo Park Academy in Cleveland. “Spending time learning about them and how they learn the best not only helps the teacher, but also the student when it comes to studying for tests and doing homework.”
While there are several models of learning styles founded by educators, here are five of the basic styles, as well as a checklist of characteristics for each. It is not unusual for children to use different learning styles or to cross over in multiple areas, depending on the task. What type of learner is your child? Turk provides some guidelines:
The Visual Learner
- My child enjoys drawing, sketching and doodling
- My child likes doing puzzles and crossword puzzles
- My child enjoys reading and books
- My child tends to watch the people or objects around them
- My child likes to take things apart and put them back together
The Verbal/Auditory Learner
- My child sings, hums or talks while doing things
- My child can remember facts, dates, times and places
- My child can convey an idea very clearly
- My child asks a lot of questions when working on activities
- My child enjoys talking
The Kinesthetic/Tactile Learner
- My child does well with physical activities (like sports) and is well coordinated
- My child likes hands-on activities
- My child talks with their hands a lot
- My child likes drama and plays
- My child jumps right into a task or project
The Logical Learner
- My child likes math
- My child enjoys playing checkers or chess
- My child is able to solve problems and reason things out
- My child prefers charts and graphs
- My child likes to do science experiments
The Reading/Writing Learner
- My child enjoys reading
- My child likes writing stories
- My child writes things down or takes notes
- My child can remember details that they have read or written down
- My child enjoys writing assignments (book reports, essays)
After you see which learning style characteristics describe your child, use the following tips to help your child succeed.
Visual Learner: Learns by reading and seeing pictures
Sit toward the front of the class
Use flashcards to quiz yourself
Color code
Visualize things a teacher is talking about
Draw pictures to explain
Verbal/Auditory Learner: Learns by hearing and listening
Sit where you can hear
Use flashcards to quiz yourself and read them out loud
Read directions, assignments and stories out loud
Have test questions read to you out loud
Make up rhymes, songs or stories when studying
Kinesthetic/Tactile Learner: Learns by touching and doing
Make a game with study notes
Walk around or use a stress ball when reading or studying
Create practice tests when studying
Work on activities that involve touching, building or drawing
Logical Learner: Learns by using visual materials, computers, statistics and hands-on projects
Create charts, graphs and timelines when studying
Work on activities that involve touching
Reading/Writing Learner: Learns by reading text and writing
Sit toward the front of the class to see the board
Write study notes by hand and use headlines
Create checklists
Work in a quiet area
Take notes
