7 Learning Styles: Help Your Child Learn Effectively During The Pandemic
Every child has a unique learning style and pace. We’ve listed the seven different learning types that explain how children respond to information they are taught. You can help your child to learn effectively by understanding how their brain processes information.
As you home-school your child during the pandemic, pay attention to how they respond to their schoolwork. Look closely at how they react when learning an educational song, or if they suddenly go from bored to attentive when doing a puzzle. By studying how they react to learning methods– you will know what they prefer; this will help you make their learning experience at home a much more enjoyable one. Understanding the different learning styles will help you teach your child during the pandemic in a way they will respond to. It will also make your life a whole lot easier.
What are the Seven different learning styles?
The Visual Learner
The visual (spatial) learner responds to pictures, images, and charts. Children who are visual learners want to see concepts and ideas brought to life in a graphical form. At school, visual learners usually sit at the front of the class; they love to soak up everything the teacher writes on the board. They love drawing, painting, and using colours to bring learned concepts to life.
Does your child spend hours doodling, painting, or drawing? If you answered yes, there is a strong possibility that your child is a visual learner.
How to engage a visual learner
● Get your child to draw diagrams, images, and charts.
● Use flashcards to teach them key concepts you want them to learn.
2. The Aural Learner
The aural (auditory) learner responds to what they hear. They learn via music, video clips and conversations. At school, they listen and actively contribute in class. They love speaking to others but find it hard to concentrate in noisy environments.
If you find that your child learns best through educational songs – chances are they are an aural learner. For example, if your child is an aural learner and is struggling to learn the timetables, you can help them by getting them to listen to a song about the time tables on YouTube. In no time, they will know their times tables off by heart.
How to engage an aural learner
● Use audio recordings.
● Use educational YouTube videos.
● Use educational songs.
● Get your child to recite everything they have learned in their own words.
3. The Verbal Learner
The verbal (linguistic) learner responds to conversations. They have a good vocabulary and love reading, listening and languages. At school, verbal learners do very well at spelling tests. Children who are verbal learners love puns, word games and rhymes. They grow up to become writers, journalists and even lawyers.
How to engage a verbal learner
● Get them to read out loud.
● Engage your child in writing activities.
● Get them to recite key concepts.
● Test their spelling – they love those.
4. The Physical Learner
Physical (kinaesthetic) learners respond to touch. They perform best when they are using their hands or bodies. They thrive in the great outdoors and soak up information when they are using up their energy. They love sports and exercise and gardening. At school, children who are physical learners find the classroom method of teaching boring.
If you find that your child learns more when they go on educational trips– they just might be a physical learner.
How to engage a physical learner
● Take them outside and get them to touch what you are teaching them up and close.
● If you have a garden let them help you plant some seeds outside and water the plants.
● Use physical objects when teaching them.
● Use role-playing to keep them engaged.
5. The Logical Learner
The logical (mathematical) learner thinks methodically and responds to numbers. They love puzzles, analysis work and can work out maths problems in their head that often leaves their teacher astounded. They seek out logical rules and procedures and may get flustered when others do not think in the same way.
Logical thinkers grow up to become excellent mathematicians, statisticians, programmers, and accountants.
Does your child prefer activities that are based on maths and logic above anything else? If you answered yes, your child is probably a logical learner.
How to engage a logical learner
● Set a problem-solving task.
● Give your child a puzzle to solve.
● Teach using graphs and charts.
● Introduce them to programming for children websites.
6. The Social Learner
Social (interpersonal) learners thrive when they are in a group of people. They learn best when collaborating with others and hate working alone. At school, social learners do well in study groups. They are popular among their friends and are often referred to as the leader of the pack.
Social learners enjoy teaching other people what they have learnt. They learn by explaining key concepts to others.
If your child is a social learner, they will be struggling during the pandemic to do their schoolwork at home without anyone to speak to. During their downtime let them speak to their friends over the phone. This will help them get in the right frame of mind so they can get on with their schoolwork.
How to engage a social learner
● Join an online support community.
● Be in the room with your child as they are learning your mere presence is enough to keep them engaged.
● Get them to repeat what they have learnt back to you.
● Engage your child with role playing.
● Organise a zoom call with child’s friends so they can do their schoolwork together.
7. The Solitary Learner
A solitary (intrapersonal) learner loves being independent – they perform best when they are alone. They thrive in quiet, peaceful environments. Children who are solitary learners have a strong sense of self. They love to set goals and work towards meeting them.
Solitary learners love to keep a journal; it helps them to reflect. Keeping a journal during these unprecedented times is also a good way to help your child process their thoughts and feelings of anxiety.
If your child is a solitary learner, you will probably find that they do their schoolwork by themselves without your help. Although they prefer to work independently, you should still check their work after they have completed it.
How to engage a solitary learner
● Teach them around their personal interests.
● Ask your child what they think and feel – they thrive when they felt like they have been heard.
● Write a checklist for your child to tick as they complete their work – it’ll motivate them.
● Leave your child to get on with their work in a quiet environment.
● Give them a journal to record their thoughts on.
How to help your child learn during the pandemic
If your child is struggling to learn during the pandemic, know that you are not alone. Many parents are struggling to help their children do their schoolwork from home.
By understanding the different learning styles, you can help your child to learn in their preferred manner. Our online tutoring service can get you the support you need and give your child the best learning experience during the pandemic.
