How to Determine Your Child's Learning Style Colorado

Steps

1. Understand the three main learning styles or modalities.
   • Auditory Learners learn by talking or listening.
   • Visual Learners learn by seeing print or images.
   • Kinesthetic/Tactile Learners learn by doing.
2. Observe your child.
   • How does your child express himself? Visual learners may express themselves through facial expression. Auditory learners may express themselves through words. Kinesthetic learners may express themselves through body language.
   • What are his or her interests? Visual learners are typically interested in print and images. Auditory learners may enjoy sound and music. Kinesthetic learners are generally interested in physical activity.
   • How does your child solve problems? Visual learners may use their eyes to find solutions. Auditory learners may want to discuss possible solutions. Kinesthetic learners will find a solution using their hands.
3. Look over various homeschooling methods and programs to find a homeschooling curriculum that caters to your child's strengths. Visual and auditory learners tend to do well with traditional programs. Kinesthetic learners may need something more hands on, such as a unit study or Montessori program.
4. When teaching, use your child's strengths to compensate for areas of weaknesses.
   • Auditory learners thrive on reading aloud, conversation, music, and oral drill.
   • Visual learners thrive on reading, writing, and making charts, graphs, and diagrams.
   • Kinesthetic/Tactile learners thrive on touch, large or small muscle movement, and hands-on projects.
5. Teach your child how to study in a way that makes the most of his or her dominant learning style.
6. Find ways to help your child develop skills in his or her weaker learning modalities.

Tips

• Become familiar with various homeschooling methods so you can find one that best fits your child.

Warnings

• Be careful not to pigeon hole your child or use learning styles as an excuse for poor academic performance.

Sources and Citations

• AVKO Educational Research Foundation
• Learning Styles
• LD Pride
• Visual Spatial Resource
• Wikipedia

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