Welcome to the Parent Project this month!
1. Topic & Discussion — What are the different learning styles? How does your child(ren) learn?
The 4 basic learning styles:
1. Auditory learner
2. Visual learner
3. Kinesthetic learner
4. Reading/writing learner
Auditory Learners -- learn through sound. These learners learn better by information given to them verbally and they just listen. They also learn by reading aloud to themselves.
Visual Learners -- learn through information they see. These learners learn by information presented to them in pictures, diagrams, visual schedules, handouts, etc.
Kinesthetic or Tactile Learners -- learn through doing things, acting the information out, and moving through information. These learners are often moving, not sitting still, and need physical activities for breaks while obtaining information.
Reading/Writing Learners -- learn through written information for them to read. These learners use some of the visual learners style. They are able to obtain information through writing, reading in books and online.
So, how can we implement a better learning environment for your child?
1. Provide a variety of activities for your child based on their learning type.
--auditory learners - give them audio books, music
--visual learners - give them pictures, charts, picture books,
--kinesthetic learners - give them games, skits, blocks, manipulatives, and give them opportunities in dance, swimming, running, soccer, basketball, etc.
--reading/writing learners - give them a diary to write in, books
2. Provide tools for smooth transitions. Use a countdown (10, 9, 8, 7...) to get your child ready to go and move on (transition) to the next task. Also, use a timer (on your phone or the old fashion ones) and give warnings (five minutes then it's time to leave, now it's one minute until time to leave, then do the countdown and say, "okay we have 10, 9, 8, .... now it's time to leave.") Giving that prep time gives the child the opportunity to be in control of his/her transition process.
--auditory learners - explain verbally what you are about to do then have them repeat you.
--visual learners - give them a picture schedule with pictures and words in the order the tasks will be performed e.g. eat breakfast, shoes on, get in car, go to school OR e.g. provide a picture chart of a countdown.
--kinesthetic learners - show them how we will pack up and leave them have them repeat it physically by moving through the process.
--reading/writing learners - give them a written schedule for them to follow or have them write out the schedule
3. Provide tools for your child to express his/her feelings. Give them options of music, art, and movement to use. Provide a safe place and quiet space just for them.
Expressing Feelings with the different types of learners:
--auditory learners - let them talk it out
--visual learners - let them draw a picture or you give a picture book of emotions and they identify which one they are feeling
--kinesthetic learners - let them show you how they are feeling through movement.
--reading/writing learners - let them write out how they are feeling or give them written words of the emotions (happy, sad, frustrated) with definitions and let them identify which one they are feeling.
2. The Parent Project — Do one or a few things this month with your children to help them learn in their own unique way based off their learning style.
Some helpful websites I used for this post:
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