Each classroom is filled with students who learn different ways. Parents may also discover that what interested Susie doesn’t interest Johnny. The best way to accommodate various learning styles is to make sure that you have lessons and activities that cater to all types of learners whether you are setting up a classroom or attempting homeschooling.
Kinesthetic
Most kids are hands-on learners to some degree – that’s why their fingers are always sticky! Filling your home or classroom with educational manipulatives like counting cubes and magnetic letters fulfill their need to touch. Most kids love to conduct science experiments and get their hands dirty discovering.
Visual
Visual learners get a kick out of charts and graphs and like to pour over the minutiae of tables and flowcharts. They may prefer to draw a picture rather than explain a concept in words. They may not be the best listeners, so be sure to provide them with written directions and lots of blank paper, so they can show you what they know.
Auditory
An auditory learner is going to do well in college attending classes in an auditorium because they won’t get distracted while listening to a lecture. Auditory learners often like discussion groups too, but generally prefer to study in a quiet space. Provide these students with mnemonics devices or rhyming phrases to help them remember information.
Read / Write
A student who prefers to read information and write out responses might seem like a natural fit in school; however, many schools are turning towards project-based learning and portfolios that accommodate a range of learning styles. Although this is good news across the board, it might make this style of learner a bit nervous. This student generally takes thorough notes and likes to curl up with a good book.
Many students are a mixture of learning styles and most can cope with whatever type of project they are given with the proper support. The best way to honor the way your student learns best is by offering a variety of ways for them to show what they know.
