Learning styles of children

A better understanding of how your child learns and their particular learning style can help you teach them at home. It also will help you see what type of learner you are. The three learning styles to consider are:

1. Visual Learning

Visual learning is when your child needs to visualize things in order to learn. They learn specifically through images. They enjoy art, and they read maps, charts, and diagrams well. They are also very interested in machines and inventions, and they play with construction toys such as legos. They can also be daydreamers.

2. Kinesthetic Learning

Kinesthetic learning is when an individual processes knowledge through hands on experience and physical sensations. Those who are kinesthetic type of learners are usually highly active and not able to sit still very long. These individuals communicate best by body language and gestures, and they rather show you than tell you.

3. Auditory Learning

Auditory learners are very verbose and think in words. They are able to learn through phonics rather than through picture techniques. They often like word games, and they have an excellent skill at remembering dates and names.

Now that each learning style has been defined, you may have related to your child to a certain style all ready. To be confident in this comparison, however, here are a few things that you can do to correctly identify which style your child learns best from.

To identify a visual learner:

-Take note of the direction of your child’s eyes when they are talking to you. Visual learners naturally look up at the ceiling or sky to talk to you, because they are visualizing the images in their head to help them effectively communicate.

-Watch your child’s movements and gestures. Visual learners talk with their hands as much as they do with their mouths.

-Take note of your child’s dialogue. Visual learners can paint pictures with their words. Words such as “watch” and “show” are typical visual learners’ word choice.

To identify a kinesthetic learner:

-Take note of your child’s eyes as he or she recalls what has happened that day. Kinesthetic learners’ eyes will focus mostly down and to the right.

-Take note of the animated way your child tells her story. Kinesthetic learners act out the event as though they are actually re-living what happened.

-Take note of your child’s word choices. Kinesthetic learners are more likely to use words such as “grasp” and “feel.”

To identify a auditory learner:

-Take note of your child’s eye position. Auditory learners will usually keep their eyes focused to the right or to the left.

-Take note of the manner of your child’s movements and gestures. Auditory learners tend to point to their ears during conversation, and they rarely use their hands to communicate.

-Take note of your child’s word choices. An auditory learner’s vocabulary likes to involve words having to do with sound. Words such as “talk,” “loud,” and “quiet” are a auditory learner’s usual word choice.