Embracing Your Child’s Best Ways of Learning 12 Different Ways to Learn

Best Ways of Learning

As a parent, you’ve been there for your child’s every milestone, from their first steps to their academic struggles.

You know your child better than anyone else, and this knowledge empowers you to be their strongest advocate in their learning journey.

It’s crucial to recognize that everyone learns differently, and your child may not learn in the same way you do.

Understanding your child’s unique learning style is key to tailoring your approach and creating an effective learning environment that suits them.

Perhaps if it is helpful for you to learn in a stationary or fixed environment, you may wonder: “Why isn’t my child able to sit still when doing his homework?”

Likewise, suppose it is easy for you to remember what you heard and utilize an agenda. In that case, you may ponder: “Why is she unable to remember lessons or record homework in a planner?”

Finally, the most important question of all is: “What do I need to do to help my child reach their optimal learning potential?

What if My Child is Not a Traditional Learner?

Since most traditional teaching methods offer a combination of the three sensory learning styles: visual, auditory, and tactile, many parents are left wondering what they can possibly say or do to enhance their child’s learning. 

Many parents fear that their children will continue to struggle and will never reach their full potential.

At the same time, many of us have seen our children learn new skills, abilities, and talents from an extraordinary teacher. 

More than likely, that “teacher” knew there were additional ways the brain processes information!

There are 12 Different Ways to Learn

Over the past twenty years, as an educational therapist and learning specialist, I have developed an adaptable approach, practices, strategies, products, and supports that empower 12 different ways of learning.

The infographic clearly identifies each way of learning.

To access a free copy of this image and more, CLICK HERE.

Definitions of the 12 Ways of Learning

For those with special and different learning needs, layering non-traditional teaching methods into instruction can offer many benefits.

The definitions below may help you understand more about each way of learning:

1. Visual learners like to “see” images, drawings, or personal visualizations.

2. Auditory Learners like to listen to words and sounds. This helps them focus on and determine the salient information from what they are hearing.

3. Tactile Learners like to touch or feel objects or artifacts. They also enjoy taking notes or drawing things out, as the process helps to encode the information.

4. Kinesthetic Learners like to “move” their bodies and physically participate in the learning process. Movement helps enhance engagement in learning and memory of information.

5. Sequential Learners like a “step-by-step” process or an orderly presentation of information.

6. Simultaneous Learners like to categorize or group objects, ideas, concepts, etc., and then understand where those categories fit in the big picture or main idea.

7. Verbal Learners like to talk out loud to themselves or others.

8. Interactive learners like to work in the company of others, and they enjoy collaboration.

9. Logical/Reflective Learners like to reflect on and think about what they are learning.

10. Indirect Experience Learners like to experience demonstrations.

This helps them attend to and glean information from vicarious learning experiences.

11. Direct Experience Learners like to experience their lessons directly.

Museums, aquariums, nature reserves, and historic sites offer wonderful educational options.

12. Rhythmic Melodic Learners like to use “rhythms and melodies” from music, songs, and beats to learn information.

Many also find that music serves as white noise that blocks unexpected noise.

Do Learning Styles Exist? By Dr. Erica Warren Watch Now!

What Can You Do With This New Information?

The best way to help your child is to find or create a flexible and adaptable learning environment that honors the 12 ways of learning.

In fact, lessons that tap into many learning styles are best, and assignment options that offer a variety of activity options are key.

What is the Next Step?

I would be delighted to guide you further! I’m offering a free image of the 12 Ways of Learning and some comprehensive strategies for visual learners.

Additionally, you can explore a product I created specifically for the families of PSN magazine, providing you with the necessary resources to support your child’s diverse learning needs.

Click to access this free resource, 12 Ways of Learning Image and Strategies for Visual Learners.

Dr. Erica Warren, an Educational Therapist and author, offers cognitive remediation, compensatory learning strategies, and academic assistance for struggling learners. She’s also the author of over 100 multisensory publications and online courses.

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This post originally appeared on our July/August 2019 Magazine