How to Identify Your Child’s Primary Learning Style

As parents, you want to ensure your children get everything they can out of school. Learning may come easier for some kids and may be harder for others. Have you ever asked yourself why? 

Every child learns differently. By identifying their primary learning style, you’ll be able to help your child learn subjects they may otherwise find difficult to understand or grasp. Read on below to learn how to pinpoint your child’s learning style. 

There are four learning styles: visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. You may remember these styles by using the acronym “VARK.”

Visual Learning Style 

Visual learners are often times very observant of themselves and the world around them. They are drawn to art and have a very strong sense of creativity. 

If your child is a visual learner, they may also have a very strong memory. Often times visual learners can go into great detail about certain memories recalling details such as names, places, and people. 

Signs you have a visual learner: 

• A keen interest in learning about the world around them 
• Recognition of people, places, and faces 
• A good sense of direction and the ability to understand maps 

Auditory Learning Style 

These learners are drawn to sounds. They may show special interest in music and learning how to play an instrument. If given the chance, they could become quite successful in these activities. 

When your child was younger, did he or she perk up when conversations were buzzing around them? Or did they notice the sound of rain or maybe a neighbor mowing their lawn outside when others were oblivious? 

If so, you may have an auditory learner on your hands. Here are some signs to look out for: 

• Often sings along to music or shows heavy interest in learning an instrument 
• Ability to listen well and follow verbal directions 
• Sharp ability to notice sounds around them that others may ignore 

Reading/Writing Learning Style 

This learning style may seem a bit self-explanatory, but it often goes unnoticed in children because reading and writing are a part of learning anyway. Are they especially good at remembering things they’ve just written or read? If so, they may be a reading/writing learner. 

If your child is better at remembering things by writing them down, that could be another sign of their learning style. So, pay attention if they take more notes than usual or tell detailed stories about the books they’ve read. 

Signs you have a reading/writing learner: 

• They write study notes by hand 
• They prefer working alone in a quiet space
• They especially enjoy reading books or writing stories 

Kinesthetic Learning Style 

Kinesthetic learners prefer to learn things with a more hands-on approach. They learn best by touching or doing tasks themselves. 

Are they especially good at sports? Or maybe they really love dance classes or other various activities. If so, you may have a kinesthetic learner. These learners have amazing balance and may rely heavily on hand gestures while talking. 

Signs you have a kinesthetic learner: 

• Frequent use of gestures while explaining things 
• Early physical development like walking, crawling, etc. 
• Extreme need to fidget while sitting or staying still for a period of time 

In Conclusion 
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Every child is different. They will display the type of learning they prefer if you just watch them closely. You guarantee a successful school year by identifying your child's preferred learning style. 

Foundations Christian School is still accepting new students for the 2022-2023 school year. If you would like to enroll, contact Carrie Alo at 607-271-6111 or fill out the enrollment form on our website.