Every child is unique, and their learning style reflects that. As homeschool parents, it can be very frustrating when lessons just don’t seem to stick, no matter how hard you and your child are trying. You feel exasperated, and your child may become disheartened. My mother and I have walked this very journey and fought many years for a breakthrough. Identifying my learning style was a primary key to unlocking my learning potential, which led to my love of learning. In the sections that follow, you will find information helping you discover the key to your child’s unique learning style, giving you the key to unlocking the treasure of the brilliant mind God gave them.
Visual Learners
Visual learners process information best when it’s presented in a visual format like pictures, diagrams, and charts. They remember information better when it’s associated with images. One way to detect if they are visual learners is by asking them if they remember things by a picture in their mind or based on what they saw. For example, when they read a book, they report “seeing a movie within their mind’s eye.”
- Parent tips: Use colorful charts, infographics, and visual aids to present new information. Encourage your child to draw out problems and create mind maps to better understand concepts. You can also incorporate videos and visual presentations during lessons to enhance learning.
Auditory Learners
These learners thrive on listening. They absorb information through sound and speech, often preferring lectures and discussions over reading. One way to identify if your child is an auditory learner is if they naturally hum or talk to themselves while thinking.
- Parent tips: Incorporate audiobooks, reading aloud, and oral presentations into your lessons. Discuss lessons aloud and have your child repeat information back to you to reinforce their understanding as well. Be sure to create a quiet space for them to focus on auditory learning activities.
Kinesthetic Learners
Kinesthetic learners understand best through hands-on activities and movement. They often prefer to learn by doing, rather than listening or watching. They like to get involved and experience things firsthand. This learning style might be evident when your child is often found taking things apart and putting them back together.
- Parent tips: Integrate physical activities like experiments, building models, and using educational games into their curriculum. Allow frequent breaks for movement and activity as this actually may help them remember better. Encourage your child to use their hands while learning, such as drawing, crafting, or building projects related to the lesson.
Reading/Writing Learners
These children prefer reading and writing as their main modes of learning. They excel at understanding and remembering written information. This learning style can be recognized when your child goes and creates their own books, frequently writes their own poems, or flies through books.
- Parent tips: Provide plenty of books and written materials for them to read. Encourage keeping a journal where they can write summaries of their lessons and personal reflection. Use written quizzes and reading comprehension exercises to reinforce their understanding. Heavily encourage them to use written notes as a study tool as this is their area for excelled learning.
Discovering this key by understanding and adapting to your child’s unique learning style can transform their homeschooling experience. By observing and experimenting with different techniques, you can discover and unlock your child’s highest potential. Remember, this process requires patience and open, two-way communication. Once you uncover their dominant learning style, have fun with it! Try incorporating it in everything and watch their love of learning blossom.
After rooting them in their best learning style, incorporating a mix of various other styles will boost their learning and recall by providing multiple anchors for lasting memory. By committing to this journey, you are cultivating the garden of learning for a successful and enjoyable homeschooling experience for both you and your unique learner.
Olivia Morgan is an IAHE intern. She is a lifelong homeschooled student who is a current senior and has a big passion for the healthcare field and missions. She is a very people-focused person and spends her spare time talking to friends, reading, playing guitar, doing photography for fun, and developing her other interests. Olivia is arranging to go on a mission trip this coming summer to Colombia to spread the love of Christ and the blessing of Bible quizzing internationally. Next year, she plans to attend Cedarville University and major in nursing.