Learning Styles

Learning styles are different ways that we as individuals perceive and process information. There are three basic modalities: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Visual learners tend to learn by watching and looking at pictures; auditory learners by hearing and listening; and kinesthetic learners through moving, doing, and touching.  

Try not to assume you know your child’s learning style. Do your research. In Talkers, Watchers, and Doers, Cheri Fuller begins by helping you to identify your child's learning style (auditory, visual or kinesthetic) then moves on to helping you discover your own. Fuller's practical suggestions and creative tips will help you create a tailor-made learning environment for your child, equipping him with specialized study skills to match his unique needs. Talkers, Watchers, and Doers is a great beginner's book on learning styles.

If you want a more in-depth approach on learning styles, Cynthia Tobias’ The Way They Learn offers fascinating insight into how we learn and how we can use that information to profitably understand our children better. In The Way They Learn, you will learn the ways we perceive information, the seven intelligences and how to identify them, and the difference between learning styles and learning disabilities. If you have ever been frustrated with your child because you can't seem to communicate or if you have ever questioned the crazy way your child says he prefers to study, then this book is for you.
 
I recommend trying to incorporate all learning styles in your lessons, especially if you are teaching more than one child. If your child is learning something new or begins to struggle with a concept, teach primarily using his dominant learning style to help him grasp the concept easier.

Here are some websites that give FREE learning style tests and teaching tips:

www.homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/visual.htm