Learning Styles 

As parents and adults going about our day-to-day activities, we implement different strategies to tackle the different challenges we face. We do not apply a one size fits all approach. Which then begs the question, why do we try to apply the same when it comes to our child’s learning? Do we understand the concept of a unique learner? Do we know what learning styles are?

Every child is unique therefore their education should be also.

Jeannie Fulbright

Understanding how best your child learns is a huge part of helping them perform to his or her fullest ability. And that starts with finding out what type of learner your child is.

Every learner is unique which means no two learners are alike in abilities, interests and talents. So, how do you determine the type of learner your child is? 

Ever heard of the VARK model? VARK is an acronym for the four core learning styles which are 

Visual, Auditory, Reading & Writing, Kinesthetics. Quite a lot of learners have a combination of the styles but there’s always a primary one.

Visual Learners

Visual learners learn best when information is presented to them in a graphic way, such as arrows, charts, diagrams, symbols, and more. 

• They usually excel at visual activities (such as art)
• They enjoy reading books that are colorfully illustrated with maps, pictures, etc. 
• They prefer watching video learning materials.
• They do best when provided with a visual representation of an example of the task he or she is to work on.

How to Teach a Visual Learner

When explaining a concept to them, include visual cues such as flash cards, video resources, graphs. Encourage them to doodle and make mind maps to aid retention.

Auditory Learners

This group of learners are sometimes referred to as “aural” learners meaning that their learning is attached to what they hear. Auditory learners would opt for knowledge that is presented to them verbally.

• These learners may enjoy reading aloud to themselves.
• They excel at auditory activities such as music.
• You can find them frequently singing, humming, or talking when playing or doing schoolwork.
• They enjoy talking and having conversations with others.
• You may find them actively nodding along to what is being said by their teachers instead of taking notes.

How to Teach an Auditory Learner

Support your teaching with auditory learning materials such as tapes and recording, engaging videos. Encourage them to verbally repeat what had just been learnt.

Reading and Writing Learners

These types of learners prefer written words, and are drawn to textbooks, novels, articles, journals, magazines, e-books and anything that is text-heavy. 

• They can be found taking elaborate notes, referencing the dictionary to learn new words.
• They learn best when writing down instructions to follow for a task.
• These learners often work best alone in a quiet environment.
• He or she is great at remembering what they read.

How to Teach a Reading and Writing Learning Style Type

Support their learning with textbooks, research papers. Motivate them to keep reading and writing as well as jotting their ideas.

Kinesthetic Learners 

This set of learners are “tactile” orientated, meaning they prefer to physically act out events or use all of their senses while learning. These learners are usually easy to spot as they find it hard sitting still for long periods.

• They excel at physical activities such as sports.
• Kinesthetic learners have a hard time sitting still while learning.
• These learners enjoy hands-on and active learning activities like drawing, sorting, etc.
• They usually jump straight into a task to get started

How to Teach a Kinesthetic Learning Style Type

Get them moving. Introduce movement focused activities in the classroom that has them moving around the class, get them to act out a concept, enrol them in dance and drama classes, encourage them to pick a sporting activity.

The uLesson app ensures it covers all learning styles thereby catering to all types of learners. This is evident in our richly animated, close-captioned, text centred, movement encouraging and auditory enhanced lessons. Don’t just take our word for it. Download and subscribe to the uLesson app to get started.