Seven Learning Styles Your Child Might Possess

Learning can be fun or daunting for everyone especially children. In 1983, Howard Gardner, a psychologist and professor of neuroscience at Harvard, developed one theory that everyone has different ways to acquiring information that helps with remembering that information. “Gardner defines “intelligence” not as an IQ but, rather, as the skills that enable anyone to gain new knowledge and solve problems.”

The Multiple Intelligences structure has been contentious but it does establish a very good base line for ways to help improve your child’s learning experience. Some schools in Beijing such as Ivy Academy have professed that the MI curriculum focuses on the wholistic approach. Here’s a breakdown of the main styles:

Verbal-Linguistic (Word Smart)
If your children love reading and writing then there’s a high chance that they would learn from written and spoken word. They’re reading for both school work and personal pleasure, using handouts, writing on the board, making lists, enjoy repetition, and talking about the things they’re learning.

Tip: Children who fall under the verbal-linguistic category would definitely need a steady supply of books, healthy debates and discussions with both adults and kids, and sing-a-longs. Videos might be used but make sure that the child has transcripts as they are more likely to read those than watch to get a grasp of what it going on.

Logical-Mathematical (Logic Smart)
If your kids love numbers, figuring our patterns or puzzles, and looking for relationships between things then they fall under this learning style. Kids under this category like systems and process and are usually more concerned with the question “why” as they thrive with order.

Tip: Children who fall under this category would need to come up with list of points after asking the question why. Create manuals/instructions and system of process for them to be able to understand better.

Visual-Spatial (Picture Smart)
If your child(ren) like to draw through memory or use of imagination, this implies that they learn from images such as pictures, diagrams, and other visual aids. The most used methodology of teaching children using images to associate with information such as the learning the alphabet. The visual learner will have a difficult time fulfilling auditory instructions.

Tip: Children who are visual learners will be helped by having more photos and color-coded organizational tools. Learn how your child decodes information and find a solution that works.

Auditory-Musical (Auditory-Music Smart)
Children who fall under this category are split into two groups; auditory and musical. Students who are more inclined to music learn through listening to music and singing along to the tunes. They use rhythm or melody. The auditory learner processes spoken information faster and they can be often be found repeating it.

Tip: Children who fall under this category will most likely like podcasts, learning a musical instrument, and videos with instructions. Encourage performances and reading out loud exercises for whichever group your child falls under.

Bodily-Kinesthetic (Body Smart)
The use of touch and movement is the best way that children under this category process information. Children (even adults) will write things down consistently, take things apart, use hand gestures, and move around. They like to be in active learning environments and thrive in short lessons.

Tip: The child under this category will need a lot of writing materials such as notebooks, pens, pencils, or other stationery. Children will want to walk around even and they need hands-on activities for them to thrive.

Naturalistic (Nature Smart)
Children who love nature so much that they want to bring the outdoors in are most likely to be naturalistics. They love learning about living things and natural occurrences. There’s a high degree that they will excel in environmental studies and enjoy sciences.

Tip: Have them outside learning about the environment and making a report about what they learn either verbal to written. They might like watching videos based on nature and listening to sounds of nature.

Interpersonal (People Smart)
If your child is able to click with people and has good communication skills in written and spoken form then they fall as people smart. Children under this category are good at learning from groups and are good at leading group study sessions and are team players.

Tip: Set up a family study group and have them take the role of leading the group. Also, having them be part of school study groups will help them to learn.

Intrapersonal (Self Smart)
They might not be shy but children who fall under this category are most likely to learn by working alone through setting their own goals. They are independent and organized. They focus and learn more when left to their own devices.

Tip: Set up a quiet time learning room and time at home where they won’t get distracted.

Flexibility is key for your child to achieve more. These learning intelligences don’t have to be followed religiously but making the accommodations would be crucial in helping kids thrive in school.

Sourced from parenting.com and connectionsacademy.com

Photo: houseoffraser.co.uk