Children – curious, energetic and yes, can be noisy – are little bundles of challenge. You would be surprised to find out that the child who is driving you crazy, is actively learning! Also known as a “learning style”, each little Einstein has a unique way to explore curiosity, to collect and perceive information.
You, as parents, can support child development and help your children to optimize their learning by knowing and supporting their unique learning style.
Auditory Learning
It sometimes happens that you try and try to talk to your children, but they don’t respond and continue watching television, playing or doing whatever it is that they’re engrossed in. The funny thing is, every time you’ve asked them to repeat what you’ve said, they’ve repeated most of it quite accurately! Why is that?
Your child might have an auditory learning style. As long as the child can hear you clearly, he or she can understand what you are saying.
How can you support auditory learning style?
- Let them explore music, podcasts, or audio books from which they can get information easily.
- Let them play musical instruments. Playing musical instruments also stimulates their ability to think, since they have to listen, read notes, and move all at once.
Visual Learning
Have you ever taught your child to repair something, or bake a dish, just once, and you observe the next time that they could do it without any help? Your child might have a visual learning style, and can learn easily by observation.
How can you support visual learning style?
- Offer them books or comics to read, educational series or movies and documentaries to watch.
- Surround them with a good environment. Communicate with them to explain the boundaries between good and bad.
Verbal Learning
Ever wondered why your children hum while studying, or why they repeat everything you say?
Children with a verbal learning style speak while they are learning, it’s the best way for them to absorb and understand information. They usually have good language ability. For them, words aren’t just words: they can comprehend the meaning and usage just as well.
How can you support verbal learning style?
- Teach them something and ask them to explain it back to you.
- Keep asking them questions.
- Read them stories or ask them to read stories.
Stories are a good way to develop the character and values of a child. Imagination can help develop cognitive ability.
Kinesthetic Learning
Children are known to be extremely fidgety, and have to be engaged in play just to be fed, or study, or wear clothes. Some of these children get labelled as naughty, but, those children might have a kinesthetic learning style.
These children need to move a lot, the movement enhances their cognition and absorption of information. (Check this excellent article on active learning!)
How can you support kinesthetic learning style?
- Let them move while concentrating.
- Move with them to let them know that you support them.
- Engage them in sports or dance activities, as they have very good body coordination.
That is how little Einsteins learn!
How each child learns is unique. Recognizing your child’s strength is the first step towards development, and the support you offer to your little Einsteins with their unique style of learning will help them develop and reach their fullest potential!
(Want to know how Habbinson helps your child learn? Look at our solutions!)
