It’s really best for you to identify your child’s preferred learning style early as you can. In a way, you are practicing developmental monitoring with your child by ensuring they’re crossing off developments they’re supposed to have achieved by certain ages.
You are essentially looking out for any learning difficulties or developmental delays when keeping track of their milestones!
We were introduced to Howard Garner’s belief in our previous article. Garner insists people generally process knowledge and information through 8 different types of intelligences.
Varying in degree of preferences for each person, they are:
- Visual-spatial
- Verbal-linguistic
- Musical-rhythmic
- Logical-mathematical
- Interpersonal
- Intrapersonal
- Naturalistic
- Bodily-kinesthetic
Tapping into one’s preferred learning style, therefore, may improve their learning experience all the more! But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider exposing your child to other modes of study.
Sometimes, it’s also good to challenge them with new materials. So, be sure to take your time to consider all possible options with your child to better cater to their learning needs.
Today, we will consider four main types of learning styles as proposed by Neil Fleming (1987).
The VARK model of learning simplifies the above information. It proposes children tend to gravitate towards four main types of learning styles: Visual learning, aural learning, reading and writing, and kinesthetic learning.
#1 Visual Learning
Your child is a visual learner when they learn especially through seeing.
They are perceptive and highly observant towards a parent’s or teacher’s body language and facial expressions. Physical movements in addition to visual aids greatly helps with their information retention.
You will find that their attention is held longer when involving diagrams, charts, and demonstrations to aid in their understanding.
In which case, don’t just rely on heavy texts and a list of verbal instructions for your little one.
Instead, try mapping out your instructions to help them sharpen their visualisation skills. You can also introduce them to note-taking patterns that may appeal to their interest.
Try introducing them to bullet journaling or simple mind-mapping. You can also try teaching them simple doodles to denote specific meaning, or colour coordination in words or punctuation.
The goal is to cook up patterns and graphics appealing to their visual senses, to help them interpret information creatively!
#2 Auditory Learning
An auditory learner absorbs information best when it is being spoken or heard, either by the instructor or themselves. In other words, your child will be highly dependant on what is being heard or verbally described.
Your child may prefer aural learning rather than talking things through, in order to further their understanding of the matter at hand.
So, don’t worry if they require lessons to be repeated or rephrased!
Sometimes, it may just mean your child simply interprets and retains information better when processing their thoughts out loud.
With that in mind, too much noise may also disrupt their focus. An aural learner thrives best in quiet environments where they are able to arrange their thoughts in peace.
#3 Reading and Writing
This learning style is where information is consumed best through written or printed texts.
One may regard this as a traditional form of learning your child is bound to be exposed to. If not in kindergarten, then later during higher education.
Either way, imagine the benefits to your little one when you harness their interests in reading and writing from an early age!
Your child may be reliant on reading and writing when you see them engaging more with different text formats such as flashcards, pdf files or e-books, presentations slides, paperback books, or even textbooks.
They will benefit greatly when allowed to break down large chunks of information into their preferred text formats, like through list-making, or preparing presentation slides or materials of their own.
Any information they are to process is best learned through reading and writing them down, or rephrasing into statements of their own. This, of course, helps to better embed new knowledge to their memory and understanding!
#4 Kinesthetic Learning
This is a form of learning style dependant on movement and sensation.
A child with kinesthetic learning needs benefits most through hands-on activities. Such learners tend to exhibit inclinations such as:
- Lesser verbal engagement in lecture-based or traditional lessons, compared to activities allowing movement and collaboration.
- They learn, recall and retain information through the act of doing rather than just reading or writing.
- Grows fidgety or easily loses focus when sitting through winding lectures or lessons.
- They require short breaks in between or change of paces in the learning environment.
A kinesthetic learner requires manipulating tasks or touching and exploring prescribed materials in order to grasp a deeper understanding of the lesson.
Holding a kinesthetic learner’s attention also means providing them ample space, apparatus, and time to experiment trials and errors on their own accord.
The best example to illustrate kinesthetic learning is the Montessori method of teaching and learning. It calls for your child to take charge of finding solutions for tasks they decided to work on.
For one thing, they would definitely fit the bill of a curious little explorer! Your child is a thriving kinesthetic learner, especially when given the autonomy to led their own learning process.
A teacher would merely facilitate their learning processes and rarely interrupts their thought processes in order to foster your child’s independence and confidence in their own capabilities.
Kinesthetic learning can also take place in everyday life. For example, invite them along meal preparations to expose them to the array of ingredients, teach them where certain items belong in the house and how they ought to neatly store away their own possessions as well.
Deciding Which Learning Style Works Best for Your Child
There is no right or one way to learning, but there is definitely a style of learning that best fits your child. Identifying what interests your child in learning will certainly boost their motivation for education!
All you have to do is keep your eyes peeled and ask your child the right questions. Be sure to watch out for any sign of developmental red flags. The kind of questions you can ask ranges from:
- What did they enjoy from today’s lesson?
- What kind of toys do they enjoy? Any puzzle-based games or strategy-based perhaps?
- Do they enjoy reading, writing, drawing, or all three equally?
- Do they prefer to be told or shown what to do?
- How do they find group work and collaborating with other students?
- Do they enjoy individual assignments?
Alas, the best way to decide what works best for your little one is through observation and communication.
Observe what activities your child engages in most and what repels their interests. Then, educate them on how to make the most out of their likes and dislikes.
After all, you can’t stop teaching them numerals just because they don’t like math.
However, you can repackage subjects or lessons your child dislikes by identifying your child’s preferred learning style!
And therefore, improving their learning experience all the more.
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