How To Identify Your Child's Learning Style

Intrinsically, we all know that we see the world in different ways. Our circumstances and where we are from very much shape who we are. Consider the world view of a religious person to that of someone who does not subscribe to religion. More than that, however, we have different learning styles. It is important to know the way in which we take in information from the world around us. Why? Well, the simple reason is that the right learning style can help you navigate your world better. So, identify your child’s learning style because it has important implications for their formative years of school. But first…

What is a Learning Style?

Our brains are all wired differently, and this means that we process the same information in a unique manner. There are three common learning styles namely: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. A visual learner typically enjoys artistic endeavors and illustrations or graphs while an auditory learner likes music and perhaps asks many questions. A kinesthetic learner, on the other hand, loves to explore his surroundings with hands-on activities. 

Consider a school environment wherein a teacher is teaching the class about chemical reactions. Perhaps, the visual learner is earnestly looking at the shape of the molecules that the teacher has drawn. The auditory learner will likely be listening carefully to each word the teacher says while the kinesthetic learner is rearing to do the experiment! It’s important to remember that we all have multiple learning styles, but we usually prefer one over the others.

What are their Interests?

An excellent way to check what type of learner your child is by examining where their interests lie and what they naturally gravitate towards. Do you find them humming a tune under their breadth while studying? Or perhaps you have found that your child excelled in arts and crafts which required hands-on activities. Of course, it is difficult to know everything about your child especially if they go to school. Therefore, it may be a good idea to check in with an observant teacher or consider more family time.

How do they Solve Problems?

Another good gauge of the kind of learner your child is, is the way they approach problems or challenges. Simply, what do they rely on as their crutch when everything else fails them. Perhaps you have a panicky teenager who is scared about their geography test the next day. You might think that studying flashcards would help them with recall, but you find them listening to the lectures on repeat.
 
Have a Conversation with Them 

Finally, there is no better way to find out how your child learns than by asking them. You can be surprised at how much you don’t seem to pick up on. Some children may easily identify their learning style once you explain it but for others, it’s an iterative process. It is important, especially for older children, to use guiding questions to help rather than answering the questions yourself. This helps build metacognitive skills that are important as they grow up.