Celebrating Learning Styles
Blue and yellow and red flowers in the garden.
Mushrooms and sausage and pepperoni on the pizza.
Trumpets and violas and tympani in the orchestra.
Where would we be without variety?? Variety gives us rich beauty and gourmet delights and unforgettable music. But what if the variety is visual and auditory and kinesthetic learners – all in one family? Can such differences truly survive harmoniously?
Know the styles
Recognizing the various styles is an essential step in helping everyone learn to their best ability. Auditory learners remember things they have heard. They find it helpful to vocalize what they are trying to learn, thus reading aloud is a benefit. Visual learners usually have an easy time with learning because so much information is presented visually. If they have to learn by listening, it helps them to take notes, to recreate what they are hearing in a visual format. Kinesthetic learners are do-ers! They absorb best when they are actively involved. Hands-on presentations are essential for kinesthetic learners. Social learners prefer learning while interacting with others while the opposite is true for solitary learners.
Knowing what style best describes your child is so helpful in teaching them. It is helpful in choosing their curriculum and in creating their work environment.
A good source for curriculum is Global Student Network (www.globalstudentnetwork.com). They offer a variety of curricula – something compatible with any learning style, especially auditory and visual.
Celebrate the differences
There is no right or wrong learning style. Kids should have a sense of how they learn and be encouraged to learn according to that strength. If they are auditory learners, for example, show them how to use that strength and provide them with resources to do so. Spend time as a family exploring various styles so you can recognize strengths in each other. Help everyone acknowledge and affirm those strengths in one another.
Respect the needs
Similar to celebrating the differences is respecting the needs those differences present. Auditory learners might find extraneous noise very distracting, where visual learners might easily tune it out. I have one child who can work amidst anything and another who likes perfect quiet. Juggling those needs within the same household can be tricky! Consider spaces and schedule in meeting those needs.
It is important for the parent to know his/her learning style because likely that will be their teaching style. If you are a visual learner and you are teaching an auditory learner, make the effort to present material in an aural format. If you’re not a kinesthetic learner, it will take some thought to create movement and hands-on opportunities for your “movers and shakers.”
Occasionally try on a different modality
While it is true kids should be taught to learn within their strength, it’s also true that there will be times when they will have to use a modality that is not their strength. There will be times an auditory learner will have to gain information from only visual means, for example. Give children opportunities to develop skills within other learning styles. It will be challenging but well worth the effort in the long run.
Love for learning is bottom line
Regardless of their strengths and preferences, creating life-long learners is the ultimate goal. Share your learning as a family. Enjoy the journey with your children, whether the gateway for that learning was their ears, eyes, or hands.
Copyright © 2013 J. Hoffman / GSN (NV)
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Email: JHoffman@GlobalStudentNetwork.com