Learning styles and your child
Sometime during the 70's, the idea of learning styles became vogue in the field of education. It was long overdue.
The learning style philosophy allows for individualization in teaching and learning. The belief is that different students learn in different ways and that if you can identify a child's style of learning and teach to that style, then the student will have a better opportunity to learn. Depending on whom you ask, there are many different systems and categories of styles. However, on a practical basis, I have noticed through my teaching experience three main styles of learning: auditory, visual and kinesthetic. Auditory learners learn best by using their sense of hearing, and sounds play an important role in how they perceive new information. Visual learners prefer things they can see to learn. Kinesthetic learners learn best by doing activities designed for learning.
For a whole website devoted to learning styles, go to
Custom Homeschool Curriculum.
Characteristics of visual learners*
 take numerous detailed notes tend to sit in the front are usually neat and clean often close their eyes to visualize or remember somethingfind something to watch if they are bored like to see what they are learning benefit from illustrations and presentations that use color benefit from using graphic organizersare attracted to written or spoken language rich in imagery prefer stimuli to be isolated from auditory and kinesthetic distraction find passive surroundings ideal
Characteristics of auditory learners*
sit where they can hear but needn't pay attention to what is happening in front may not coordinate colors or clothes, but can explain why they are wearing what they are wearing and why hum or talk to themselves or others when bored acquire knowledge by reading aloud remember by verbalizing lessons to themselves (if they don't they have difficulty reading maps or diagrams or handling conceptual assignments like mathematics).
Characteristics of kinesthetic learners*
 need to be active and take frequent breaks speak with their hands and with gestures remember what was done, but have difficulty recalling what was said or seen find reasons to tinker or move when bored rely on what they can directly experience or performactivities such as cooking, construction, engineering and art help them perceive and learn enjoy field trips and tasks that involve manipulating materials
Seldom is a child characterized by only one of the above. Most people are a blend of one or two with one being more dominant than the other. Because all people learn differently, educational strategies today rely on differentiated instruction. Differentiated instruction is simply offering different activities and learning opportunities based on the different learning styles of children. A creative teacher is able to plan lessons so that all children will have learning situations tailored to their needs.
There are a number of free learning style inventories or tests on the internet, just search "learning style inventory", and you will find them. *The descriptions of each of the above three styles of learning are provided courtesy of the University of South Dakota's website, http://www.usd.edu/trio /tut/ts/styleres.html
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