Every child learns at their own rate and in a unique way. To support your child effectively, you need to understand how they learn best.
Children learn by experiencing a wide range of experiences, such as playing in their environment, exploring with hands and feet, looking at pictures and listening to stories.
Visual Learners
Visual learners learn best when information is presented visually. That is why visual learning techniques such as note taking, handouts, graphs and diagrams are so essential for those with this learning style.
Visual learning is a popular type of teaching style, often employed by teachers in the classroom. This helps students comprehend complex ideas and retain essential information more easily.
It’s also beneficial to ensure students who are learning visually have ample opportunity to hone their skills. This can be achieved by using various techniques and strategies to create a fun, interactive atmosphere that makes learning as effortless as possible.
Many visual learners enjoy drawing and writing on whiteboards. Doing so can give them confidence to express their ideas more readily, as well as develop imaginative thinking abilities and imagination.
Another excellent method for students to learn is through educational websites. These online courses provide videos and explanations that enable them to gain a better grasp of topics.
For instance, students studying the human body can view videos of organs at work. These visuals can then be combined with pictures to clearly demonstrate each organ’s function.
Visual learners particularly benefit from open ended tasks and assignments. Here they can explore various options and come up with solutions, which helps them develop creativity and critical thinking abilities.
Furthermore, it’s essential to give visual learners adequate time to process the information they are learning. This is especially pertinent if the subject matter is unfamiliar; visually impaired individuals need extra time to translate data into something understandable, making it harder for them to respond quickly when presented with new material.
Although visual learners can have some challenges, they do possess some distinct advantages. Visual learners tend to learn better with maps, graphs and diagrams than words or numbers do; additionally, they tend to acquire knowledge holistically rather than sequentially or in parts – meaning that they don’t get frustrated if something takes a while before they fully comprehend it before moving onto another concept.
Auditory Learners
Around 30% of school-age learners are auditory, meaning they learn best when hearing information spoken or sung aloud. Furthermore, auditory learners are adept at expressing emotions and picking up on social cues through changes in voice tone.
They’re capable of remembering a lot of information when they hear it, so it’s essential for them to pay close attention during lectures. Perhaps even try creating visual images in their minds while listening so as to better comprehend what’s being said.
One way to assist auditory learners in learning is by providing them with various study tools they can use at home or in class. These may include audio clips that play while they read or write their notes, recordings of lessons they can replay, and background music they can listen to during personal study time or while doing assignments.
Another way to engage auditory learners in learning is through interactive displays. With such a display, students can create presentations and present them to their classmates. You may even add preloaded teaching tools like timers or drawing capabilities so oral presentations become more interesting for your students.
Auditory learners tend to retain information better when they can repeat it back to themselves, so having them keep a recorder is an excellent idea. That way, they can playback the recording whenever they need to review a concept from class.
Other study tools auditory learners can utilize include verbal games, reading information aloud and playing background music while they’re studying. Not only will this help them retain what they learn but it can also be a fun way to spend free time.
In addition to the tips above, teachers should encourage their students to create a playlist of music they enjoy listening to while driving to and from school. Doing this helps ensure students don’t get distracted while studying, especially for tests or writing papers.
Kinesthetic Learners
Understanding your child’s learning style can make all the difference in their academic progress. With a better grasp on their process, what helps them retain information, and which strategies work best for them, you’ll be better equipped to support them on their journey towards success.
The VARK model, created by Neil Fleming and Colleen Mills (1992), helps students recognize their learning styles and sensory modalities (Fleming & Mills, 1992). It consists of four categories: visual learning (images, films, diagrams), auditory learning (audio tapes, conversation, speeches), reading/writing (taking notes/manuals/creating lists) and kinesthetic learning (movement exercises or hands-on activities).
Visual learners prefer to view the material being learned and are best able to absorb and remember it when presented in pictures or videos. They also take pleasure in reading maps and charts, underlining important details, then committing them to memory.
Auditory learners prefer to hear what is being taught aloud, as this allows them to focus better and retain more information. Multitasking also makes it easier for them to take in multiple pieces of information at once, which aids memory recall.
Many teachers and parents believe that children should only be taught through reading books, yet research has demonstrated that combining different learning styles can actually increase a child’s recall of new information and concepts. If your child is an auditory learner, consider including audio programs into the classroom as part of their curriculum.
This type of learning style also aids students in developing social skills and teaching them how to interact positively with others. When paired with another kinesthetic student, they can collaborate to act out stories or play games together for understanding concepts better. This type of interaction encourages both parties to apply what they have been learning more hands-on – benefitting both student and teacher alike!
Interpersonal Learners
Interpersonal learners gain knowledge through interpersonal interaction and communication with others. They are often referred to as social learners due to their affinity for working in groups or teams.
Students who can successfully interact with their teachers and classmates can make the learning process smoother for them. Not only will this boost their academic performance, but also allow them to form relationships with fellow students and acquire invaluable life skills.
Parents can support your child’s interpersonal learning style by encouraging them to participate in teamwork and volunteer activities. Whether it is cleaning up a park or feeding the homeless, these experiences will give your child valuable experiences working with others to make an impact in their community.
You can encourage your child to work independently from time to time by assigning them a project that they can finish on their own. Doing this will teach them that it’s okay for them to complete projects independently and ask for assistance when needed.
Scavenger hunts or group projects can also be used to get your child actively engaged in learning with others. Doing so will enable them to develop teamwork and leadership abilities, as well as give them a chance to hone their interviewing techniques in an unthreatening setting.
Your child may not need these activities right away, but they will surely value the chance to partake. Participating will also boost their self-confidence and give them a sense of worth that will last throughout college and beyond.
Interpersonal skills are an integral component of success in any industry or job, often referred to as “soft skills”. While some people are born with these qualities naturally, anyone can develop them through training and practice.