Learning Styles

Understanding your child's learning style affects what curriculum you choose and how you teach. Knowing your own learning style will help you understand that what works for you may not work for you child. There are three basic learning styles to understand.

Kinesthetic Learners

• Shows emotions through general body tone
• Prefers to conduct business while doing something (holding pencil, tapping foot, etc.)
• Shifts positions frequently at school, church, etc.
• Chooses physical activities over stationary ones
• When angry: tenses physically
• As rewards: gives hugs, pats on back, etc.
• Fidgets when concentrating
• Jumps right into doing

Kinesthetic Learners
learn best using:
Puzzles
Crafts
Science kits
Games
Models
Dioramas

Visual Learners

• Shows emotions through facial expressions
• Prefers to conduct business in a letter (provides a written record)
• Likes quiet to aid concentration
• Enjoys going to a movie, theater, television viewing; or reading
• When angry: stays silent, walks away
• As rewards; gives smiles, stickers, posts work for others to see
• Looks up or straight ahead when concentrating
• Wants to watch/observe before attempting something new

Visual Learners
learn best using:
Maps
Posters
Pictures
Videos
Collages/Mobiles
Timelines

Auditory Learners

• Show emotions through voice quality
• Prefers to conduct business over the phone (to save time)
• Turns on the radio first
• Enjoys listening to the radio, attending a concert, playing instruments or talking to a friend
• When angry: tells others why (sometimes, everyone)
• Looks down when concentrating
• Needs verbal instructions

Auditory Learners
learn best using:
Books on CD
Music
Tapes
Discussion
Narration
Memorization