Understanding different learning styles for your children is an important step in helping support them on their academic journey. If you know how they prefer to process information, you will become a better teacher when explaining something to them or helping them with their homework.
So, I have teamed up with a private prep school in Kent to share some information on the three main learning styles, to help you identify which one is most applicable to your child. It’s worth noting, however, that some children will fall into more than one category.
disclosure: this is a partnered post
#1: Kinaesthetic Learners
A kinaesthetic learner is one who is better at absorbing information when their senses are engaged. They may be drawn to hands-on subjects, like art, drama or PE, which involve moving around and touching things. They also tend to find it difficult to sit still and concentrate for long periods of time.
If you think your child might be a kinaesthetic learner, it’s a good idea to allow them to see and feel something while you’re explaining. For instance, if they are learning about plants and photosynthesis, take them outside in the garden and allow them to touch the different parts of the plants.
#2: Auditory Leaners
Another form of learning styles is auditory learners. An auditory learner prefers to learn by listening. Rather than reading from a textbook, they would rather listen to a podcast. They also tend to be great communicators and storytellers but might get distracted easily if they can hear background noise whilst carrying out a task. When giving an auditory learner some instructions on how to do something, it would be better to relay these instructions verbally as opposed to asking them to read from a list.
#3: Visual Leaners
As the name implies, a visual learner is one who absorbs information through seeing. They prefer to read and tend to use lots of colours and diagrams when studying. A visual learner would struggle to retain information if it is spoken verbally to them and would prefer to look at written information and pictures. If you think your child is a visual learner, make sure they have lots of books and writing utensils.
It’s worth considering your own learning style as well, as people typically teach in the same learning styles that they themselves like to learn. If you and your child have different learning styles, it would be wise to adapt yours so that you are catering to your child’s preferences, rather than your own.
We hope this post has helped you to better understand the 3 key learning styles and how they might impact on your child’s learning and development. Once you have assessed what type(s) of learning styles they prefer, you will be able to adapt your teaching methods to suit their needs at home.
