Let us talk about you for a moment.  If you want to learn about architecture which activity do you resort to – reading a good book, listening to a podcast, building a 3D model, or writing notes about building?  There is a chance you appreciate all of these, but there is one that you gravitate to the most. Your preference on how you process and appreciate information depends on your learning style.  

It is important to note that your learning style may not be your child's learning style too.  Often, conflict arises when the parents' expectations and teaching approach are based on their learning style and not their child's.

Definition of Learning Style

Before we dive into finding out your and your child's learning style, let us define what it is first. Learning Style is described as an individual's way to grasp, process, understand, and hold information.

Importance of Identifying the Learning Style

"Do I need to identify my child's learning style?" you may ask.

Yes, it is best for you to get to know your child better.  Why?  Knowing your kid's learning style can help you understand how your child learns and process the information around him. In addition, it helps you to see your child's strengths and weaknesses in terms of learning. 

By identifying what type of learner your child is, you can help foster your young child's love for learning by providing appropriate activities and materials to help him learn faster and better. Also, it can help you understand and support your child if he/she is having difficulty learning in school.

Getting to Know the 4 Types of Learning Style

1. Visual Learner

Characteristics of a Visual Learner.

Children with a visual style of learning understand and learn best through reading, seeing, or observing. For example, learning becomes easier for visual learners when they watch a video, observe a demonstration, see a graph to understand data or read a book. 

Visual learners' strengths are in their ability to visualize an object or a scenario in their minds, identify similarities and differences of objects, organize their things, and sense of colour, balance, and alignment.

Children that have dominant visual learning style:

·       Are fascinated with bright colours and movement.

·       Prefers to doodle while taking notes.

·       Can narrate back the story they read to the littlest detail.

·       Can grasp and understand charts and graphs quickly.

·       Understands new topics or concepts after seeing an image.

·       Are most likely inclined to creative or communication arts.

·       Are good at language.

·       Enjoys schoolwork that involves colouring, reading, or writing.

·       If they do not understand something, they may say these:

o   Can you show me?

o   I cannot picture/visualize it.

o   I need a graph or a diagram.

Study tips for visual learners

If you have a visual learner at home, here are some tips to keep them interested and engaged in learning.

      For toddlers and preschoolers, support them with these activities.

·       Use colourful flashcards to teach them new concepts like letters, numbers, colours, etc.

·       Read to them picture books with appealing illustration

·       Play card games with them to develop focus, concentration, patience, and critical thinking.

·       Ask them to draw or colour an essential scene in a story or song.

·       Give them a notebook where they can doodle, draw, or paint.

·       Let them watch educational shows with regulated screen time.

·       Teach numbers by counting the objects in your home.

·       Use manipulatives (beads, shells, buttons, blocks, cotton balls, etc.) to teach math.

For Grade schoolers and up, encourage them to do these practices.

·       In the classroom, choose a seat near the board.

·       Choose a quiet place to study at home.

·       Take notes when studying.  Use colour coding too.

·       Create flashcards for your notes or study guide.

·       Create symbols, diagrams, or illustrations.

·       Create charts and graphs.

·       Use mindmaps during brainstorming.  Mindmaps are the visual representation of ideas that are consist of words, images, and colours.  It can help you structure your thoughts and identify the relationships among the ideas.

·       Create outlines to organize and depict the structure of ample information in a book.

·       Ask for demonstrations on how to use new objects or to learn new concepts.

·       Watch educational videos and documentaries.

·       Create your practice exam.

·       Create a To-Do List to organize your tasks.

 2. Auditory Learner

Characteristics of an Auditory Learner.

Children with Auditory learning styles learn best through listening.  They understand and process information better when it is read out loud to them or by them.  Other sounds such as drumbeats, clapping, or music can also help them while studying.  They may also learn and retain information when they turn the words into lyrics of a song.

Children that have dominant auditory learning style:

·       Have good listening skills.

·       Can process and retain information better from lectures, discussions, or podcasts.

·       Are comfortable in speaking out their mind.

·       Prefer to read aloud than to read silently.

·       Prefers Oral presentations or recitations over written examinations.

·       Can express and explain ideas confidently.

·       Prefers group discussions.

·       Mostly music-lovers.

·       Can be distracted by noise.

·       Can follow verbal instructions.

·       Understands and processes the changes in tone.

·       If they do not understand something, they may say these:

o   Can you repeat it for me?

o   Can you tell me again?

Study tips  for auditory learners

If you have an auditory learner at home, here are some tips to keep them interested and engaged in learning.

      For toddlers and preschoolers, support them with these activities.

·       Read books to them.

·       Sing about topics they want to learn.

·       Let them watch educational shows with regulated screen time.

For Grade schoolers and up, encourage them to do these practices.

·       Select a seat where you can hear the teacher well.

·       Ask questions and participate actively in class.

·       Find a study buddy. You can ask each other to answer questions.

·       Give them the option to listen to audiobooks.

·       Record class lectures.  Note:  Ask permission if your school or university will allow recordings.

·       Record yourself reading and listen to it on repeat.

·       Stay in a quiet place, away from distracting noise.  Soft background music can help with studying.

·       Read aloud a book.

·       Use mnemonics to recall a long list of items.  Keep repeating facts or information that you need to remember.

·       Engage in discussions with your groupmates or peers.

3. Kinesthetic Learner

Characteristics of a Kinesthetic Learner.

Children with kinesthetic learning styles learn best through movement and experience. They become more interested and engaged when they can touch, feel, and move. 

Children that have dominant kinesthetic learning style:

·       Likes to move and prefers hands-on interaction.

·       Likes to walk around while studying or reading.

·       Prefer to build than reading a manual.

·       Enjoys hands-on projects.

·       Wants to touch and feel objects.

·       Prefer modelling clay over painting or drawing.

·       If they do not understand something, they may say these:

o   Can I touch it?

o   Can I feel it?

o   Can I hold that?

Study tips  for kinesthetic learners

If you have a kinesthetic learner at home, here are some tips to keep them interested and engaged in learning.

 For toddlers and preschoolers, support them with these activities.

·       Provide lots of sensory activities.

·       Use magnetic letters to teach letters and reading.

·       Use manipulatives to teach math.

·       Perform simple experiments together.

For Grade schoolers and up, encourage them to do these practices.

·       Walk around while reciting your lessons.

·       Study with something you can hold, like a pencil or a stress ball.

·       Study at home with a stationary bike.

·       Have frequent breaks in between studying.

4. Read/Write Learner

Characteristics of a Read/Write Learner.

Read/Write Learning style is self-explanatory. The read/write learners need to read and take note of the information to learn and understand a topic. Do not get this confused with visual learners. While visual learners love charts, graphs, and diagrams, read/write learners do not.

Children that have dominant read/write learning style:

·       Loves to read.

·       Loves to write and take notes.

·       May have difficulty focusing when they do not have a pen and paper on hand.

·       Organized.

Study tips  for read/write learners

If you have a read/write learner at home, here are some tips to keep them interested and engaged in learning.

For toddlers and preschoolers, support them with these activities.

·       Provide lots of sensory activities.

For Grade schoolers and up, encourage them to do these practices.

·       Always keep pen and paper handy.  Keeping a notebook or journal can help too.

·       Re-write your notes for you to remember the items.

·       Use your own words when you re-write your notes.

Were you able to identify your and your child's learning style?  Which activities work best for his/her learning style?

Share your experiences in the comments section below.