Finding the Most Suitable Learning Style for Your Child
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Years ago there was a child who struggled at school and was typically characterized by his teachers as “dull.” But just like all mothers’, his mother’s instincts made her believe that her child was just ready to learn with a different learning style and one not to be left in mundane school. So, she pulled him out of school, and homeschooled him, focusing on experiments with her son and practical experiences outside the confines of rote learning.
In this setting, her son did very well, taking an interest in inventions and experimentation. Later, he went on to become one of the most prolific inventors in world history, earning more than 1,000 patents and including the famous phonograph and electric light bulb among them, and that person was none other than the world acclaimed inventor, Thomas Edison.
The story actually shows how an understanding of and adjustment to different ways of learning, like Edison’s preference for experiential learning, can lead to great feats and accomplishments. It underlines the need to assimilate a more individualized approach to education rather than sticking strictly to any conventional method, which might have been otherwise the yardstick to measure the teaching pedagogies and also the assessment techniques. In reality his home educator strongly believed in the adage shared here.
Nurture the unique potential within every child, for each one is a distinct flower, and together they create a beautiful garden in our world
As parents, one of the most crucial decisions we face is choosing the right path of education for our children. With a myriad of options available, including Montessori, primary school, middle school, and high school, it’s essential to identify and understand every child’s unique learning style early on that ensures them thrive academically and personally.
The best way to find out which learning style suits every learner much before formal education begins is to observe them. Usually, the attention is drawn towards the unique learning ability only when the student reaches middle school or high school.
Observing the way they play and how they relate with the world during the unstructured times where they get to decide what they want to do and how to do it, helps the observer gain a perspective on understanding your child could involve examining their areas of challenge. If one can spot where the child lags or what kind of task is difficult for him or her that will help narrow down the sort of learning style that dominates the learner. For example, a child who just can’t seem to follow oral instructions might be a visual learner, and a child who just can’t seem to sit still in the classroom might be a kinesthetic learner.
By recognizing these learning styles, going forward the students can make a claim that the teachers at schools near me always found ways to better support their students, creating a more engaging and effective learning environment.
Understanding Learning Styles
Every child has a distinct way of learning that may encompass visual, auditory, reading/writing, or kinesthetic preferences. Identifying your child’s learning style can significantly enhance their educational experience, making it more engaging and effective.
- Visual Learners: These children learn best through images, diagrams, and visual aids. Schools that incorporate visual elements in their curriculum can be particularly beneficial for them.
- Auditory Learners: If your child excels in discussions and remembers information better when heard, they may be an auditory learner. Schools that emphasize oral presentations and group discussions can help nurture this style.
- Reading/Writing Learners: Children who prefer written information and enjoy reading often do best in environments where reading and writing are heavily emphasized.
- Kinesthetic Learners: These children learn best through hands-on activities. Montessori schools, with their emphasis on experiential learning, can be ideal for kinesthetic learners.
Knowing the learning style of your child will only equip you with the tools and knowledge that help to make your child excel better. Most importantly, one must understand that learning styles are not mutually exclusive. It’s absolutely possible that your child fits under more than one style. For example, they may have one or two primary learning styles, and they may have a learning style that is their greatest weakness. Often children will present the ability to learn in multiple forms as stated by Bertuzzi.
However, learning styles are not fixed; they change with age as well. Most of the young children will be tactile learners due to developmental purposes. The early years are basically concerned with gross and fine motor development. A child may start more of a visual or auditory learner while growing, but some will retain their preference to a hands-on approach.
Remember, a child learns in more than one way. Just knowing that a child’s most profound learning style is a helpful discovery, but only learning in one of these ways will not suffice. Each child is different; there is only so much you can discern from studying various learning styles.
A few tips for you to support your child’s learning style/s:
Auditory learners may benefit from:
- Engaging in discussions about what they are learning
- Hearing verbal explanations
- Reading and repeating information aloud
- Using mnemonic devices when studying
Kinesthetic learners may benefit from:
- Acting out or role-playing new information
- Going on field trips
- Having freedom of movement whenever possible
- Using movement to study (For example, when teaching the water cycle, a teacher might guide a class of students through a dance with movements that align with each step in the water cycle.)
Tactile learners may benefit from:
- Creating art or doing crafts
- Experimenting with science labs
- Having access to hands-on materials that they can move and manipulate, such as math counters
- Working on building projects
Visual learners may benefit from:
- Drawing information out
- Creating graphic organizers, such as flow charts
- Seeing visual aids, such as diagrams, charts, graphs, and videos
- Using visual organization techniques such as color coding while studying
In a landscape of diverse learning styles, a uniform solution simply won’t suffice!!!
Manita Hathi
PRO
NPS ITPL