Did you know that everyone learns differently?

 

What is your personal learning style?

 

What is your child’s learning style?

Not everyone learns the same, which is what makes everyone in the world so unique. No two people learn the exact same way, and knowing what your child’s learning style is can help in them having success in their academics.

 

 

Learn your child’s strengths

Everyone in the world has their strengths and weaknesses.  Some are natural athletes; while others have to practice and train to become a good athlete.  Some people are naturals when it comes to academics; while others may struggle a bit and have to study in order to do well in school.  People are so different; it is even amazing to see how different or similar your children are to you, and to see how different or similar siblings can be.  For instance, I have two daughters.  They are both in college.  They went to the same high school, but  not at the same time.  They had many of the same teachers as well.

 

There are many kids and teachers alike that are shockingly AMAZED that they are sisters!  My oldest daughter was not as social as my youngest is.  Academics came easier for my oldest daughter and she had to work hard to excel in sports.  My youngest daughter on the other hand is a natural athlete, and learns better with visuals. Unfortunately, most public schools are do not teach using many visuals. So you see, although they are siblings, they are like night and day!  My oldest daughter is more like me; we find that book learning is our forte, while my youngest daughter is more like my husband in that they are good students, but are more hands on, visual learners.

 

 

 

 

It is important to realize how your child learns early on. If you have younger children, it can help you in deciding what type of preschool to enroll them in; or if you should home school them.  Determining what type of learner your child is also is important in the later years of schooling as well.  Not all children are meant to sit for hours at a desk and listen to a teacher teach from the front of the classroom.  Some children need to be engaged in their learning, they need to be able to freely move about, explore, and actively take part in how and what they learn. There is so much to consider when choosing the right school path for your child.  Being aware of how your child learns will help you decide what is right for your child.

 

 

 

So…Do you know what type of learner your child is?

According to psychologist Howard Gardner, there are eight types of intelligences. Early on in his research, Gardner had discovered seven intelligences, but later added the eighth.

He believes that everyone has a small part of all the intelligences within them.  But he also believed that over the years; a person develops one area of intelligence more thoroughly than the other areas and that becomes their primary way of learning.

To learn more about Howard Gardner and his theory of multiple intelligences and to find out your multiple intelligence, please click here.

 

What are the different types of learning styles?

 

Interpersonal

-Thinks by bouncing ideas off other people

Also known as “The Socializer”

LIKES TO:

• have lots of friends
• talk to people
• join groups

IS GOOD AT:

• understanding people
• leading others
• organizing
• communicating
• manipulating
• mediating conflicts

LEARNS BEST BY:

• sharing
• comparing
• relating
• cooperating
• interviewing

 

 

Musical

-Thinks via rhythms and melodies

Also known as “The Music Lover”

LIKES TO:

• sing, hum tunes
• listen to music
• respond to music

IS GOOD AT:

• picking up sounds
• remembering melodies
• noticing pitches/rhythms
• keeping tune

LEARNS BEST BY:

• rhythm
• melody
• music

 

 

Bodily-Kinesthetic

 

-Thinks through somatic sensations

Also known as “The Mover”

LIKES TO:

• move around
• touch and talk
• use body language

IS GOOD AT:

• physical activities
• crafts

LEARNS BEST BY:

• touching
• moving
• interacting with space
• processing knowledge through bodily sensations

 

 

Naturalistic

-Thinks by relating to the outside world

Also know as “The One With Nature”

LIKES TO:

• grow things
• be in nature
• camp, hike, and bike

IS GOOD AT:

• memorizing
• observing
• recognizing patterns in nature

LEARNS BEST BY:

• classification
• exploration
• touching
• examining

 

 

 

 

Spatial

-Thinks in images and pictures

Also known as “The Visualizer”

LIKES TO:

• draw, build, design
• daydream
• look at pictures
• watch movies
• play with machines

IS GOOD AT:

• imagining
• sensing changes
• mazes/puzzles
• reading maps/charts

LEARNS BEST BY:

• visualizing
• dreaming
• using the minds’ eye
• working with colors/pictures

 

 

Logical-Mathematical

-Thinks by reasoning

Also known as “The Questioner”

LIKES TO:

• do experiments
• figure things out
• work with numbers
• ask questions
• explore patterns and relationships

IS GOOD AT:

• math
• reasoning
• logic
• problem solving

LEARNS BEST BY:

• categorizing
• classifying
• working with abstract patterns/relationships

 

 

Linguistic

-Thinks in words

Also known as “The World Player”

LIKES TO:

• read
• write
• tell stories

IS GOOD AT:

• memorizing names, places, dates and trivia
• word puzzles
• writing

LEARNS BEST BY:

• saying
• hearing
• seeing words

 

 

Intrapersonal

-Thinks deeply inside of themselves

Also known as “The Individual”

LIKES TO:

• work alone
• pursue own interests

IS GOOD AT:

• understanding self
• focusing inward on feelings/dreams
• following instincts
• pursuing interests/goals
• being original

LEARNS BEST BY:

• working alone
• individualized projects
• self-paced instruction
• having own space

 

 

 

In the end

Finding out your child’s learning style and strengths is important in finding the right learning environment for your child.  You may find that your child is a balance between multiple learning styles, and that’s okay.

You don’t necessarily have to fall under just one learning style; that’s the thing about learning, it is as unique as we are! When looking at school models for your child, there are many alternatives to public school.

Charter schools, home school, private schools, Montessori schools, and  hybrid schools are all environments that accommodate the various types of learning styles. Your child’s learning style can be used to help with choosing which school model is best for your child.

Not all environments are a good fit for each child, so choose something that works for you and your child(ren). One of my favorite quotes is pictured below; it speaks volumes and is a huge part of my personal teaching philosophy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m curious to know…what is YOUR learning style?

I would have to say that I am a good combination of a Linguistic and a Intrapersonal learner.

What’s your learning style?  What is YOUR multiple intelligence?

Let me know in the comments!

Anitra J.