Have you ever needed assistance with directions? Which do you find the most convenient to follow: a route map, a verbal explanation, or just jotting down the directions? Your learning style will determine the choice you select. You could be a kinaesthetic, auditory, or visual learner.
Your child has an intrinsic desire to learn. His brain is programmed to seek out novelty, excitement, and new experiences. However, how he processes these events is influenced by his preferred learning style.
Your child may be:
- A visual learner who is quick to catch visual clues such as facial expressions, colours, postures, and visual patterns.
- An auditory learner who enjoys listening to stories, music, and conversations.
- A tactile or kinaesthetic learner who is drawn to touch and examining objects with his hands or by moving his body.
How to figure out what learning style your child has
Most children use a combination of learning styles, but one will be prominent.
The auditory learner
- Loves to babble and be talked to.
- Starts speaking early.
- Uses a wide vocabulary and is talkative.
- Loves to listen to songs and sing.
- Loves using imagination and participating in dramatic play.
- Prefers quality rather than quantity interactions with friends.
- Will select one friend at a time to enjoy.
- Will listen to and share stories with his friend.
- Enjoys the storyline over pictures in books.
Assist your auditory learner in succeeding:
- Play musical instruments together.
- Sing and listen to songs and audiobooks.
- Engage in one-on-one conversation – listen and tell.
The following will help him to learn best:
- Grab his attention by telling him to touch his listening ears.
- Add imaginative elements or names for additional fun and focus.
- Explain things to him through words.
- Allow him to repeat instructions or information out loud.
- Some enjoy a little background music and others a quiet space to learn.
The kinaesthetic learner
- Loves to touch and be touched.
- Enjoys cuddles.
- Loves social settings to get active with others and play in groups.
- Is particular about clothes and will complain if they affect his skin.
- Likes active interests such as playing drums, dancing, and participating in sports.
Help your kinaesthetic learner thrive:
- Make an opaque sensory bag with a drawstring.
- Fill it with differently textured items. Let your child dip into it and delight in exploring with his hands.
- Play rough-and-tumble and hugging games.
- Visit the park for rides on the see-saw and merry-go-round.
- Dance with him.
The following will help him to learn best:
- Hold his hand and look him in the eye when you speak.
- Let him work things out by using his hands.
- Allow him to walk about or use body actions while reciting information.
- Use role-play to learn.
The visual learner
- Cares for his possessions.
- Gives lots of thought to choosing clothes for the day
- Likes to order his toys in a neat arrangement.
- Becomes distressed when toys are placed in a different order or out of place.
- Enjoys his own company.
- How others look, move, or what they wear will attract or upset him.
- Enjoys books and visual arts.
- Tends to pay attention to details.
Help your visual learner thrive:
- Play mirror games by pulling faces and putting on face paint.
- Take walks to look for patterns and colours in the garden or room.
- Sit face to face and look at each other’s features.
- Page through books with vivid illustrations and describe and discuss them.
The following will help him to learn best:
- Demonstrate things while he watches you.
- Spend time looking at pictures.
- Use images more than speech.
- Video clips, theatre productions, and role play are good learning methods.
Maintaining a healthy balance
Develop your child’s learning skills by encouraging his preferred learning style, but keep in mind that multisensory learning is essential for all children. When learning, be careful not to overlook the other senses, as learning patterns might shift with time. As your child grows, keep an eye on him and help him adjust and handle himself.
A word on sensory stimulation
To stay focused, we all require sensory stimulation. Some people chew gum, spin their hair, tap their foot, or chew their pencil.
The ability of children to stay awake is less developed. All of their movement and sound production can appear to be in opposition to learning. They get more polished over time and can learn in a group context.
Do not believe for a second that your child can only learn by remaining still and listening. This isn’t true for all students, and it’s critical to remember that your child will do whatever he needs to learn. Even when you ask him to sit down and listen, he may be always on the move. He might need to walk in order to listen because it keeps him aware. It allows him to process information in the most efficient manner possible.
When to reach out to a professional
If you’re concerned your child seeks excessive amounts of sensory stimulation, or avoids required levels of sensory participation, visit an occupational therapist. They can determine whether there’s a sensory processing difficulty causing such behaviour.
