Tip #49 from Teacher Secrets for Parents (McKinley & Trombly) - Learning Styles
Today's tip for parents from two talented teachers comes from 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents by Cindy McKinley Alder and Patti Trombly.
#49
Learning
Styles
Learning
is more effective when it is an active rather than a passive process
~ Euripides
If you are like most
parents, you have repeated yourself many, many times to your children. You may
have even uttered the words, “How many times have I told you...” If this sounds
familiar to you, perhaps you need to think about how your child learns and
learn to work with that style.
How does your child learn? Consider the three types of learning styles:
auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. Most children learn best through a
combination of the three types of learning styles, but many children favor one
over the others.
Auditory
Learners: Hear
Auditory learners would
rather listen to things being explained than read about them. These children
can benefit from reciting information out loud or retelling it to someone after
they have read/learned it.
Visual
Learners: See
These children will often
get distracted when the teacher (or parent) is talking. They may even look like they are listening, but if you
ask them a question afterward, they have no idea and look confused. Visual
learners need something to focus on. They benefit by looking at graphics,
watching a demonstration, or reading.
Kinesthetic
Learners: Touch
Kinesthetic learners
learn best through a "hands-on" experience. You can’t just
demonstrate how to do a science experiment (or show them a video) and think
they’ll understand the concept. They need to actually do the activity to truly
understand it. Even while studying, they must do something. They do not study best by reading a chapter in social
studies; they learn best by writing things down which makes it easier for them
to understand and remember.
Teachers know all about
these learning styles. They try their best to incorporate all three in their
lessons so they can reach all learners. When they are teaching subtraction, for
instance, the students will hear (auditory) the teacher giving an example of
subtraction by using a story problem. She might say, “Imagine you have 7
pennies but you give 2 away to friends. How many do you have left?” Then, the
teacher may show the problem on the board and work through it (visual) while
the students watch. Last, she may pass out manipulatives for the students to
work with, such as real pennies, and have the students actually touch something
(kinesthetic) and move them around to show how 7 - 2 = 5.
You may recognize your
child in one, two, or all three of the above learning styles, but chances are
he will favor one over the others. Once you’ve discovered your child’s style,
try your best to incorporate it the activities you do at home. When studying
spelling words, for example, consider your child’s learning style. It may not
be enough just to say the word and have your child spell it (auditory). You may
want to have note cards with the words written on them (visual) so he can
actually see the word, then turn it around and have him spell it. He can then
look at it again to check for accuracy (and cement it in his mind). If he’s a
kinesthetic learner, you may want to have a small, lap size whiteboard where he
can write the word (kinesthetic) after you say it, or use magnetic letters that
he can move around to spell the words.
Using all three styles
whenever possible will help your child develop all three types of learning
styles. Just because he may have a dominant learning style doesn't mean the
other types can't be improved. Help him understand his learning style so
learning becomes easier and less stressful as he works toward reaching his
potential.
Cindy McKinley Alder Patti Trombly
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