I remember watching math problems as a kid and feeling like none of it made sense. My dad, who was good at math, couldn’t understand why I couldn’t understand him. Then, secretly, he would draw pictures of the problem and “lo and behold, I have it!” I later learned that I am a visual learner and need to “see” the problem in order to understand.

Some children are talkative. In order to process information, these students like to discuss it with others. After hearing the words, they understand and generally remember the information. We call them audio learners.

Another group learns while being active and playing. If they can manipulate objects with their hands, they can grasp the concept and it soaks into their long-term memory.

There are many ways that professionals categorize different learning styles, and the procedure can be complex. However, the most widely used system divides all learning styles into three basic categories: visual learners, auditory learners, and kinesthetic learners.

Why do we need to know our child’s learning style?

When we realize that there are differences in the way children learn, we won’t be trying to force them to learn like we do. Just think how much easier the task would be if parents could help, using the techniques that work best for their child. If my father had known that he was a visual learner, he could have shown me how to draw pictures of the problem or make a visual chart to help me understand. I would have felt that drawing pictures was an accepted method of learning rather than being a secret about it.

Children often feel guilty if they cannot understand a problem when it is explained to them verbally. The child who needs hands-on activities becomes frustrated and cannot sit still during long lectures. Their behavior is then characterized as unacceptable and a different learning style becomes a discipline problem. Kinesthetic learners have a hard time adjusting to our expectations.

Think about the difference it could make if you informed the teacher about your child’s learning style at the beginning of the year. Many teachers don’t have time to analyze each child’s style. They usually teach according to their own particular learning style.

Children who have learned to recognize and understand their own learning styles are more likely to succeed. They can use techniques that work specifically for them. I know a boy who had problems all through school. She finally made it to college and was overwhelmed with college professors who required taking a lot of notes. This was not her learning style. She needed to hear the information over and over again. She realized this and used a tape recorder to play the information back while repeating much of it out loud. As an audio student, this was the successful learning method of hers.

Children may use a combination of learning styles or be dominant in one. A child with diverse learning styles is often a more flexible learner. Read the characteristics of each learning style. See if you can recognize your own child’s style(s) from the following descriptions

Characteristics of visual learners (65% of the population):

• Learn through pictures
• Enjoy art and drawing.
• Read well maps, graphs and diagrams.
• He likes mazes and puzzles.
• Using lists or outlines to organize thoughts
• It is capable of detecting recurring patterns in information.
• Remember where information is located on a page
• See images or words in the “mind’s eye”
• He is able to visualize stories.
• Often a good speller (they can see the word in their mind)
• He has a vivid imagination.
• Gets impatient or withdraws when a lot of listening is required
• Color is important and helps memory.
• He likes to put things together
• Usually likes reading/writing more than math/science.
• doodle background
• Enjoy tracing words and pictures.
• Often accused of being a dreamer in class

How can I help my visual learner?

Since mathematics is abstract, it is important to draw a picture or explain with diagrams.

Encourage and teach your child how to draw pictures to understand math problems. Visual children are usually very creative and can find a good memory technique to remember vocabulary or mathematical procedures. They just need to know that it is an acceptable method.

As you read, suggest visual clues. Offer picture books of all kinds; When reading chapter books together, it encourages viewing of the story and scenes at intervals. Provide colored pens to take notes or write. Suggest writing the syllables of new spelling or vocabulary words in different colors. Help them make lists or charts of information. Suggest drawing a picture of the historical information that needs to be remembered.

Characteristics of auditory learners (30% of the population):

• Tends to remember and repeat ideas that are presented verbally.
• Learn well through lectures.
• he is an excellent listener
• He is often the leader of a group discussion.
• Can reproduce symbols, letters or words by hearing them
• like to talk
• Enjoy plays, movies.
• You can learn concepts by listening to tapes
• Enjoy the music
• Enjoy question and answer sessions
• Retains information that is set to rhyme
• Find small group discussions stimulating and informative
• You must listen to yourself say information out loud

How can I help my audio student?

These children learn best through verbal conferences, discussions, speaking, and listening to what others have to say. Talk to your child about homework and ask him to explain it to you. This reinforces learning. Audio learners often benefit from reading the text aloud and using a tape recorder.

Read math problems together and break a word problem into smaller segments. Discuss what it means and talk about possible solutions. Why would it work or not? The audio learner needs this kind of dialogue.

For each topic you need to listen to your child read the information aloud and then discuss it. This may seem like a waste of time for parents, but it is the best way for the audio learner to be successful. Also, build a closer relationship. Audio learners do not do well working alone.

Audio learners absorb information like a sponge. They can listen to a stimulating educational video and remember most of the information, especially if there is a discussion afterwards. If there is information that needs to be memorized, put rhythm or music on it. make it fun!

Characteristics of kinesthetic learners (5% of the population):

• Learn by doing, direct participation
• Often fidgets or finds reasons to move
• Does not pay much attention to visual or auditory presentations.
• Want to be “doing” something
• Arrange things
• He likes to manipulate objects.
• gestures when speaking
• He is often a poor listener
• Respond to music through physical movement.
• He likes to clap to the rhymes
• Uses hand movements when pronouncing words
• Often finds success in physical response activities.

Kinesthetic/tactile children learn best through a hands-on approach, actively exploring the physical world around them. Touching things, trying things out, and moving their bodies are all ways that kinesthetic children learn. They may find it difficult to sit still for long periods and are often distracted by their need for activity and exploration. These students have high energy levels. They think and learn best while on the move. They often miss a lot of what is being said during a lecture and have trouble concentrating when asked to sit down and read. These students prefer to do rather than watch or listen. They are often diagnosed with ADHD

How can I help my kinesthetic/tactile learner?

These students need many objects to work with and manipulate. Physical objects are essential, especially for mathematics. There are plenty of hands-on materials available in educational stores, and many teachers are happy to lend some of their teaching materials to parents. For example, if you are helping your child tell time, get an old watch and let him move the hands while he explains the idea.

Reading, spelling and writing are often a challenge for these children. Buy letters and have your child spell words using something she can touch and feel. Sometimes using the computer is beneficial since you are moving the keys. Computer math games also work well.

Clapping the syllables while reading the words helps kinesthetic learners to pronounce the word phonetically. If they forget punctuation at the end of a sentence, suggest hand signals such as a clenched fist for a period, an outstretched arm for an exclamation point, and a curved hand with an outstretched arm for the question mark. By using the body, the information is internalized.

Use games to reinforce learning. To add and subtract, play dominoes or card games. Write unfamiliar words on small cards and play “Go Fish” or “Focus” to help reading skills.

benefit for all children

Knowing your child’s learning style is important! When you can help your child in a way that she can respond positively to, you are setting a good tone for learning. Increases self-esteem. Your son is much happier because he feels accepted for who he is. They don’t have to learn like everyone else. They have special abilities. They are unique!