Discover Your Preschooler's Learning Style

 Many people have discovered that the one-size-fits-all education often found in institutional settings does not serve all children equally. Often, families homeschool in order to customize an education that better fits their child’s needs. To create the optimal learning environment for your homeschool, you should take several things into consideration; personality, temperament, strengths, weaknesses, and a working knowledge of your child’s learning style. Having a keen understanding of your preschooler’s learning style will enable you to choose curricula that will maximize his/her potential.

Everyone is unique and processes information individually. In traditional settings, classroom management may dictate what methods are encouraged. In ideal situations, curricula can be tailored to meet the needs of individual children; a scenario that is not practical with large groups of children. Homeschoolers have the ability to do this. By discovering and utilizing your child’s learning style, a homeschool parent can create a learning environment that makes for more efficient learning where both student and teacher are less frustrated.

There are three basic leaning styles; visual, aural and kenesthetic. Simply put, people tend to learn best through their eyes, their ears, or their bodies. Ultimately, most people learn best by a combination of 2 or all three of these styles, but one is usually stronger. Most children have a high need of movement until about age 8, making discovery of your preschooler's style a bit tricky. Still, it is never too early to begin watching your child and discovering all you can about their unique bent. The following are the basic learning styles and how you can spot them in your preschooler.

Visual Learners process information through their eyes; grasping information through what they see. Their visual environment is very important. Even in young children, you can spot the tell-tale signs of a budding visual learner. They like color and often pay attention to whether their clothes match. They remember what they see, they try to read early, they like to work in quiet settings, and they may forget simple oral instructions. Strategies for visual learners include:

~  Utilizinging Lots of Print

~  Using Color

~  Using Graphics, Posters, and Maps

~  Staying Away From Fluorescent Lights

~  Using Flashcards

~  Tracing Letters, numbers, and words

~  Use Video

Aural Learners process information through their ears. These children learn best by listening and talking. You may have an aural learner if they are quick to notice sounds, talk a lot, are good at explaining, and enjoy acting/performing. Strategies for the aural learner include:

~  Listening to Music in the Background

~  Discussing What is Being Read

~  Reading Aloud 

~  Repeating Instructions

~  Oral Brainstorming (letting teacher take notes)

~  Use Mnemonic Devices or Rhymes for Memorization

~  Giving Oral Instructions/Explanations

~  Use Audio tapes

~  Taking Frequent Breaks From Written Work

~  Give Oral tests

Kinesthetic/Tactile Learners need hands on activities that help make abstract concepts concrete. They learn best by doing. These children are easy to spot because they are always moving, enjoy sports and action, like to build, and seem to want to touch everything! Learning Strategies for kenesthetic learners include:

~  Drawing as They Listen

~  Using Manipulatives  for Math

~  Take Frequent Breaks From “School”

~  Using the Floor and Bed as a Desk!

~  Hands-On Projects

~  Discovery

~  Keeping it Short and Active 

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