What is a learning style?

A learning style is a method a person uses for acquiring knowledge. Every person learns in his or her own unique way. A learning style is not what a person learns but how that person learns it. Again, learning styles help to explain why one child might learn to recite the alphabet after reading an alphabet book, another child might learn the letters by playing with building blocks that have letters on them while another child might learn the alphabet by singing "The A, B, C, Song". Currently, there are at least seven identified learning styles: Bodily Kinesthetic, Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Linguistic, Logical-Mathematical, Musical, and Visual Spatial.

Using Learning Styles

Teachers have been using the concept of learning styles for many years. While not all teachers use the term "learning style," many people in the field of education have always known that exciting educational experiences occur when teaching children through a variety of approaches. That is why a wide variety of songs, games, puzzles, activities and books are available to help teach almost any subject. No matter how your child learns best, there are resources to help you teach them in that way.

Strengthening weak styles

Children should have different opportunities to use each of the learning styles that is their strength, as well as foster the growth of other learning styles. There is no harm in trying to improve a learning style; however, for best results in acquiring new knowledge and/or developing academic skills, we recommend approaching those skills through the learning style that is your child´s strength.

Using Learning Styles

Knowing your child´s learning style enables you (and your child´s teachers) to create educational experiences that are more personalized, meaningful and effective. Children gain knowledge and internalize what they have learned when that subject or skill is taught to them in a way that they can best relate. Discovering a child´s learning style is discovering how to teach him/her most effectively.

Strong or Primary Learning Style

For best results in acquiring new knowledge and/or developing academic skills, we recommend approaching those skills through the learning style that is your child´s strength. However, children should have different opportunities to use the learning style that is their strength as well as foster the growth of other learning styles.

The Seven Learning Styles

Physical
Intrapersonal
Interpersonal
Linguistic
Mathematical
Musical
Visual

Can a child have more than one learning style?

Every individual is able to relate to the world in all different ways, therefore, every person has the capacity to use every learning style. However, it is typical that an individual has one or two styles that work best for them when they learn.