Transcript

Welcome to the first lesson in this module! We’re going to talk about different learning styles today. Maybe you already know what the learning style of your child is, but if not, today will hopefully help you know what the different kinds are and give you insight into how to plan lessons for your child.

We’re going to talk about 3 types of learners today. There are more than this, but these are the most common learning styles in early childhood:

• Auditory learner 

• Visual learner 

• Kinesthetic/Physical learner 

 Before I explain more, I want to mention that it’s probably not accurate to say that a child has just one learning style, but they most likely have a dominant strength. Once you know their learning style, it will help you with planning lessons and presenting information to him in a way that matches his style and makes it easier for him to learn. 

Auditory Learners

These are people who learn best through verbal communication, sounds, and music. They can pick up on concepts quickly just by hearing it. Sometimes they concentrate better when music is playing. They are able to remember and understand new concepts when they are explained out loud. 

Your child may be an auditory learner if they… 

1. Love music and can remember words to songs they hear 

2. Can easily follow spoken directions and if they don’t understand, they will ask you for clarification 

3. They like to read out loud or listen to audiobooks 

4. Can become distracted by lots of noise 

 Ideas for teaching auditory learners: 

• Use music and singing for teaching 

• Encourage them to talk about what they learned 

• Read books aloud or use audiobooks 

• Use noise cancelling headphones to keep them from being distracted or play light classical music while working 

Visual Learners

Children who are visual learners excel at learning through their use of sight. They like to see pictures, draw pictures, and are very observant. They are engaged with bright colors, can learn from videos, and show favor towards books and reading. Visual learners usually can pick up writing easily by watching the teacher draw the letters with every stroke. 

You may have a visual learner if they…

• Love bright colors and enjoy drawing and painting 

• Fascinated with books 

• Remembers visual details 

 • They ask you to show you something before trying something new 

• Can recognize numbers and letters easily 

• Prefer to see what they are learning 

Ideas for teaching visual learners: 

• Use drawing to teach or have them draw to show what they’ve learned 

• Match images to words 

• Show them concepts with lots of pictures 

Kinesthetic/Physical Learners 

Physical learners are also called kinesthetic learners. They learn about the world by using their hands and bodies. Anything they can manipulate with their hands helps them grasp their meaning. They need movement! They also enjoy making things with their hands and using their bodies to act things out. 

You may have a kinesthetic learner if they…

1. They want to hold things in their hands 

2. Love to build 

3. Often tear things apart just to learn about them 

4. Love interactive books with pop-ups , flaps, or anything that can be touched 

5. Benefit from rhythmic motions, like hand clapping or finger snapping 

6. Want to actually do whatever is being talked about or learned 

7. Likes to move around while listening or talking 

 Ideas for teaching physical learners: 

• Any type of activity with movement 

• Use math manipulatives, such as pattern blocks or base ten blocks 

• Use alphabet magnets 

 Children who are kinesthetic learners may need to move their whole body to learn. They are often fidgety. You may feel that your kinesthetic child isn’t listening because he is swinging his legs, getting in and out of his chair, or even falling onto the floor, but that’s normal for this type of learner. 

 I have a short quiz for you to do to see which category your child falls under for learning style. Fill out the quiz and then meet me in the next lesson!