4 DIFFERENT LEARNING STYLES

• Many a times parents and teachers don’t realize what type of learner a child is and mistook the child’s ability.
• For all, the by default style for learning is reading or writing but apart from that there are other styles also.
• So, let the child grow in its own way because every child has a different learning style. Let them understand in the way they are comfortable.
• Go get the assessment now and help your child grow.
• Now, let me introduce you to the VARK model i.e the Different Learning Styles.

THE DIFFERENT LEARNING STYLES

V:- Visual Learner                 

   A:- Auditory Learner

   R:- Reading/Writing Learner  

    K:- Kinesthetic Learner

Visual Learner

A visual learner learns better when the learning material is seen and observed through diagrams, shapes and other visual aids they prefer graphic elements over words. But to be precise this does not include photographs or videos.

Now let us focus on several strategies through which the child can learn efficiently.

• Strategies for Visual Learner
• Mind Mapping.
• Charts and graphs.
• Flash cards can be a great tool.
• Bright highlighters can help the child to be a better learner

For e.g.: Instead of telling story, show the scenes and parts of it through different flashcards.

• For the grammar let’s take Nouns-use different colour flashcard for the types of noun

• Red-Common Noun and Blue-Collective Noun

• For e.g.: We can use Venn diagram to show the comparisons for 2 different topics.

• Let them make word families let us take an example.
  •  In a chapter child is supposed to learn the names of character then making word families will be helpful.
• Add extra bright colors to there books or an attractive symbol will also be helpful.
• Let the child understand science through different diagrams and colored charts. Also let them do the experiments by their own.
• And of course the white board is their Best friend, so let them write, draw and visualize the contents from that.
• Also never to forget, always encourage the child to sit in front as they learn easily through facial expression and body language.

Auditory Learner

An auditory learner learns well when the information is spoken rather than seen, for an auditory learner sound is the medium for effective learning . They are always out spoken in the class and tend to explain things/topics verbally in a great way.

Now let us focus on different strategies that helps the child learn more efficiently

• STRATEGIES

• A recorded lecture will be a great study material for them.
• Let them read aloud new concepts and topics for a better understanding.
• Audiotapes, videos and music is a great learning source for them.
• Frequently ask them questions and let them answer it.
• Ask them to explain what they have learnt ,it can help them memorize the content well.
• In a lecture after the completion of one topic ask them to explain the same in their own words.
• Involve them into group discussions.
• Let them take breaks in between the study. So that it will help them concentrate more.

Reading/Writing Learner

• This are the type of learners who want the content to be presented into words. They love to read and perform well with the written content.
• This is probably the easiest learning style.
• For the Reading/Writing learners, the strategies are pretty easy and commonly used by today’s education system.

• STRATEGIES for Reading/Writing Learner
• Let them write essay and assignments. Because when they write, they grasp the content well.
• Ask them to make running notes for all the lectures, it will help them to recall it later.
• Let them learn through writing the notes again after reading the content.
• Show them PPT’s.
• For the diagrams and charts ask them to explain via pointers.
• Let them search on internet for any content, it will help them process it more clearly and efficiently.
• For any meaning let them search into dictionary or online.

KINESTHETIC LEARNER

These are the tactile learners. They can learn easily through physical activity, such type of learners are connected to reality, either through personal experience, examples, practice or simulation. Kinesthetic Learner tend to engage all of their senses equally in the process of learning. These are the students who might struggle to sit still in a conventional classroom. They are usually good at sports, dance, music ,etc.

Now let us focus on the strategies for these hands-on learners.

• STRATEGIES
• Work or learn in a standing position or while walking. This allows the movements in muscles which can result into better comprehension, focus and retention.
• Start on the topics in a creative way and ask them to draw diagrams, they can also present the content in a pictorial form.
• For the science content let them conduct real experiments and make models or do the mock-ups.
  • For e.g.: For learning the parts and functions of brain, ask them to create a model of brain and then learn, this will help to learn efficiently.
• Let them do the role-plays which will make the learning easy and effective.
• Ask them to combine exercise with study i.e. while studying practice any physical exercise
  • for e.g.: Do squats, jumping jacks, etc. while learning. But it is not always possible to involve your Gross Motors. One can also learn effectively by just involving the fine motors.
  •  for e.g.: by using a fidget spinner or bouncing a ball, anything can be done that involves a physical activity.
• Make each and every subject more creative, also frequently use highlighters and flashcards for understanding the concept in a better way.

• Now, there might arise a question can a person have more than one learning style?

The answer is, yes it is possible.

According to studies, it is estimated that around 50-70% of population have several different styles of learning they are called multi modal learners.

MULTI MODAL LEARNERS

Multi Modal learning suggests that more than one senses are involved in the learning.

Multi modal learners learns well when they engage several senses for learning a particular task.

For them almost all the modes of learning material are helpful

Consider it, as

• Pictures
• Audios
• Speech
• Music
• Taking notes
• Movements
• Facial Expression
• Mock ups
• Flashcards

And many others also. Everything is helpful.

Such type of learners are very good in conventional classroom setting as all the senses can be used in various subjects.

• For e.g.: For English class -> understanding stories through videos. Learning grammar through different highlighters, Flashcards and speech and also the role plays are much effective.

• For science class -> Practicing experiments and making models plus understanding through diagrams and labels.

• So know what type of learner your child is and provide him/her the free space of learning in accordance to his/her learning style.

REFERENCES

“4 different learning styles you should know. The VARK model” A blog by ‘The University of Kanas’

https://educationonline.ku.edu/community/4-different-learning-styles-to-know

Do visit our website https://www.mindshealer.com for more such blogs.