There are 3 primary types of learners.  Do you know which one you are?

It’s worth identifying your own type and also the type of anyone you are trying to teach.  For example, you may make little progress with an auditory learner by forcing them to write words over and over again, while quizzing them out loud is a breeze.

This also helps explain why one particular learning technique can be very effective for one student and not another.  We all learn differently.

Types of Learners:

VISUAL LEARNERS

• Visual learners learn primarily through the written word and sight.
• They learn well on their own.
• They tend to be readers who diligently take down every word.
• Provide them with written materials and exercises
• Have them write key words and take notes while reading
• Use visuals or graphics
• They will do best reviewing topics in a text book or reviewing their own written notes

AUDITORY LEARNERS

• Auditory learners learn primarily through listening and talking with others.
• They learn well in groups.
• They focus their ears and attention on your words, listening carefully to everything you say.
• They like to talk rather than write and relish the opportunity to discuss what they’ve heard.
• They will do best reviewing topics in a group by discussing them and quizzing each other out loud.

KINESTHETIC LEARNERS

• Kinesthetic learners learn best by doing and moving their body.
• This group learns best when they can physically practice what they’re learning.
• They want to have their hands on the keyboard, the hammer, or the test tube because they think in terms of physical action.
• Encourage underlining and highlighting.
• Provide real-life simulations and examples
• Offer hands-on activities 

To conclude, here is a first hand story from Kathryn Lay on the power of understanding “learning types”…

Michelle stared at her math homework with tears in her eyes. “I just can’t memorize this stuff,” she said.

It irritated me and frustrated her. I couldn’t understand why memorizing the multiplication tables was so hard. It wasn’t until I understood that my daughter is a kinesthetic, or hands-on, learner that I realized it really was difficult, and the difficulty wasn’t from lack of trying.

It may not be what your child is learning that is frustrating her, but how she is learning–using visual, auditory, or kinesthetic strengths.

According to Cheri Fuller, author of Unlocking Your Child’s Learning Potential, “Learning style entails how a person best takes in, understands, and remembers information.” She concludes that, “while most of us learn in all three ways…in most children, one sense is usually more finely tuned and influential for learning than the others.”

Is it the math, or the manner of learning the math that causes your child problems? The science, or the approach to science? Do you know your child’s learning style? How could you use this knowledge to help in the learning process, both at home and at school?

Once you find your child’s learning style, you can also find ways to help difficult subjects become easier.

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