Children are generally curious about the world around them. They love discovering things on their own and exploring new things. Most children learn about their surroundings in the most natural and instinctual way possible – they like to touch, look, and taste, hear, or smell to learn.
Figuring out your child’s learning style can help you understand them better so they can develop the skills that they need. There are four main learning styles: kinaesthetic, visual, auditory, and written. Many children use a combination of all but have one dominant learning style that they prefer. Discovering the most dominant learning style of your child can give you a better grasp of what they need in their academic and extra-curricular activities.
Kinaesthetic
Children with a kinaesthetic learning style are physical learners. They are the kids whose strength lies in activities that make them move, like sports or dancing. They fidget a lot and can’t seem to stay still. Some of their habits include using gestures when they talk or counting out loud with their fingers.
At the early stages, these children exhibit these characteristics during the toddler years. Kinaesthetic learners are usually early walkers or runners and are more physical than other babies. If your child is a kinaesthetic learner, it’s best to check out schools that offer learning through physical activities – maybe check out the curriculums in Darwin private schools for a better idea of what schools have to offer.
Visual
Children who are visual learners tend to lean towards the “spatial” learning style. This means that they learn and observe things through sight – be it a written sign, pictures, videos, and more, they learn best when information is presented visually.
As toddlers, children who are visual learners are more creative. They have wild imaginations and love art, shown in their love to draw and colour. As they grow up, these children love drawing mind maps to help them organize their thoughts and to absorb complex concepts.
Auditory
Sound is an auditory learner’s best friend. Children who are auditory learners are usually those who can’t seem to keep quiet – they read out loud to understand information better and say their thoughts out loud while processing them. They prefer lectures over notes and are always active in speaking up in class.
In the early stages, children who are auditory learners love music. They find it easy to memorize the lyrics to their favourite nursery rhymes. It’s easier for them to follow spoken instructions than written ones and would much prefer being read a bedtime story than reading one.
Reading/Written
Children who prefer reading or writing usually learn through words. It may sound similar to visual learners, as reading learners like to learn by reading, but the difference is that they express themselves best by using words – writing diaries, listing down what they need to know, and more differentiate them from visual learners.
Reading or writing toddlers love books of any kind. If your child shows interest in books when they were younger, that could be a sign that he’s a reading or writing learner. They take the time to scan and absorb the information they need to know.
There are many different styles you can understand to help your child learn better. Identify which one works best for your child so you can work together in helping them be successful in their academics and their extra-curricular activities.
