Learning Styles Find Yours
Learning styles are different ways students process information. Teachers realize not all children learn in the same way. Effective teachers present materials in ways that will help the student absorb information. But its also a good idea for parents and children to understand how they learn best. Find out what type of learner you are by seeing the four categories.
Auditory or Language Learners
These children learn through listening to what others have to say and talking about what they're learning.
They remember information by talking outloud. It helps to have things explained orally. Students may have trouble with written instructions. They often talk to themselves by learning something new. These students enjoy discussion groups over working alone.
Visual Learners
These people learn trhough watching. It is believed to be the most common learning style. The students remember visual details. They prefer to see what they are learning. Doodling while listening may help. Writing down instructions may help.
Kinasethetic/ Tactile Learners
I have seen this category separated but they are so similar its nice to put them together. These students learn through movement. Tactile learners learn through feelings. They often talk with their hands. They want to move around while they are thinking. They actually want to do whatever is being talked about or learned. They need to touch things in order to learn about them.
Logical or Analytical Learners
This style is not as common. They love knowing how things work. The are capable of logical thinking at a young age. They learn through exploring patterns and understanding how things relate to each other. These students ask a lot of questions so they can understand how things interrelate. Memorizing without meaning is difficult for them because they are such analytic thinkers.
Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory believes there are seven ways people put the intelligence to work.
1. Linguistic Students have rich vocabulary and enjoy listening and telling stories.
2. Logical-mathematical Students have the ability to see relationships between objects and solve problems.
3. Visual Students are able to demonstrate three dimensional objects. They take information and transfer it into images and pictures in their mind.
4. Bodily-kinesthetic Students use their body to communicate and solve problems. They are good with objects and activities with hands and fingers. They prefer to learn with their body or feelings.
5. Musical Intelligence Students can express oneself musically. They recognize tones, rhythms and musical patters.
6 Interpersonal Students have the ability to understand people and relationships. They care about people and their feelings, and interact effectively with them.
7. Intrapersonal Students have the ability to think about and understand one's self. They are aware of their strengths and weaknesses, moods and motivations. They have the ability for self discipline to achieve personal goals.
Some experts say they are only three learning styles. They are auditory visual or kinesthetic or tactile learners. It seems the most difficult to reach a child's needs is kinesthetic or tactile. Allowing these students to move around the classroom helps.
"A simple way to understand these different styles is to consider what senses your child relies on most when learning. " says Dr. Stern. He says Kinesthetic Learners are often labeled ADHD because they are so active. They have trouble sitting for long periods of time. They become bored and distracted when they are not doing. One way to keep these students involved is to write and take notes while learning. Holding something in their hand also might help.
Teaching to a child's strengths and favored learning style or combination of learning styles is more productive than teaching students all the same way.
Auditory or Language Learners
These children learn through listening to what others have to say and talking about what they're learning.
They remember information by talking outloud. It helps to have things explained orally. Students may have trouble with written instructions. They often talk to themselves by learning something new. These students enjoy discussion groups over working alone.
Visual Learners
These people learn trhough watching. It is believed to be the most common learning style. The students remember visual details. They prefer to see what they are learning. Doodling while listening may help. Writing down instructions may help.
Kinasethetic/ Tactile Learners
I have seen this category separated but they are so similar its nice to put them together. These students learn through movement. Tactile learners learn through feelings. They often talk with their hands. They want to move around while they are thinking. They actually want to do whatever is being talked about or learned. They need to touch things in order to learn about them.
Logical or Analytical Learners
This style is not as common. They love knowing how things work. The are capable of logical thinking at a young age. They learn through exploring patterns and understanding how things relate to each other. These students ask a lot of questions so they can understand how things interrelate. Memorizing without meaning is difficult for them because they are such analytic thinkers.
Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory believes there are seven ways people put the intelligence to work.
1. Linguistic Students have rich vocabulary and enjoy listening and telling stories.
2. Logical-mathematical Students have the ability to see relationships between objects and solve problems.
3. Visual Students are able to demonstrate three dimensional objects. They take information and transfer it into images and pictures in their mind.
4. Bodily-kinesthetic Students use their body to communicate and solve problems. They are good with objects and activities with hands and fingers. They prefer to learn with their body or feelings.
5. Musical Intelligence Students can express oneself musically. They recognize tones, rhythms and musical patters.
6 Interpersonal Students have the ability to understand people and relationships. They care about people and their feelings, and interact effectively with them.
7. Intrapersonal Students have the ability to think about and understand one's self. They are aware of their strengths and weaknesses, moods and motivations. They have the ability for self discipline to achieve personal goals.
Some experts say they are only three learning styles. They are auditory visual or kinesthetic or tactile learners. It seems the most difficult to reach a child's needs is kinesthetic or tactile. Allowing these students to move around the classroom helps.
"A simple way to understand these different styles is to consider what senses your child relies on most when learning. " says Dr. Stern. He says Kinesthetic Learners are often labeled ADHD because they are so active. They have trouble sitting for long periods of time. They become bored and distracted when they are not doing. One way to keep these students involved is to write and take notes while learning. Holding something in their hand also might help.
Teaching to a child's strengths and favored learning style or combination of learning styles is more productive than teaching students all the same way.
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