Learning style is nothing but the way or manner in which children learn faster, better, and also enjoy while learning. Learning is a constant process, be it studying or understanding the basic mannerism, children have a specific manner in which they can learn. Parents need to identify the learning style of their children to ensure that they catch hold of things in the best possible manner. Building a base is very important in the early stages of studying and learning, parents thereby need to ensure that they adopt a learning style that their child is enjoying. Not only children but adults too have a specific learning style that they are most comfortable with. There are four different categories of learning styles including kinesthetic learning style, auditory learning style, visual learning style and, reading and writing learning style.
1. Kinesthetic learning style- this style is categorized as a learning style where kids like to learn while doing. It simply means that are inclined towards learning by doing themselves. Parents need to identify this habit of their child in the early stages only and plan their curriculum accordingly. Parents can mix different activities like jumping back and forth, making use of cubes and shapes, making use of play-dough to draw shapes and figures, etc. to ensure that children are learning while doing things. Parents should also identify that these learners are the ones who excel in sports activities and have an inclination towards such hands-on activities.
2. Auditory Learning style- auditory learners are the ones who like to listen while learning. Parents can identify this learning style if their child sings, hums, or reads out loud while studying something or learning something new; if he/she can catch and follow the verbal instructions quickly; is talkative, and also takes interest in having a conversation; if he/she asks varied questions before any task and are curious listeners. Parents should nurture and understand this way of learning by ensuring that they narrate to them stories or class lessons, take the help of audio aids to make them understand various things, and by having healthy conversations with them. It has been observed the kids that fall under this category have a taste for music and musical instruments.
3. Visual Learning style- a visual learner has a keen interest in looking at pictures, illustrations and is supported by any form of visual aid. These learners are the ones who can recall places, pictures, and people. Parents can identify this learning style by observing and understanding the behavior of their children. These include enjoying the books and comics with pictures and illustrations’, being observant about the things around them, enjoys and completes a task with perfection when explained or visualized, is able to recognize and remember people, places, and objects. The children that fall under this category have an imaginative bend of mind and are able to learn and understand with the help of visual aid. Parents should ensure that they make use of flashcards, unique methods of learning, drawings, charts, and figures while teaching them or making them learn something. By adopting this parents can nurture their learning process and improve their level of understanding.
4. Reading and writing learning style- students who make use of this style of learning are the ones who have the habit of writing while learning. They prepare notes, flashcards, write down the tasks while learning or studying. They also like to read and are considered as the bright kind of learners. They also tend to jot down the points while understanding something or taking instructions. Parents should ensure that they support this learning of their child and make the best use of this habit of theirs. They should prepare for them written quizzes, plans and schedules to ensure that learning stays on track.
Children don’t need to have the qualities of only one sort of learner, but some might have a combination of two different qualities. Parents, as well as teachers, need to identify this learning style of children to ensure that they can nurture their learning abilities well in time. Parents should realize that their child can have a unique learning style and that it is important to embrace the same and help their child learn in the best possible manner.
