Four Learning Styles

Children have different learning styles – the way they take in and process information. Some children focus on facts. Some respond strongly to visual forms of information, like pictures. Some get more from verbal forms--written and spoken word. Some prefer to learn actively and interactively. And some learn more individually.

Most of us, parents, assume our children learn exactly like we do. For instance, if we are visual learners, it's not at all uncommon for us to expect our kids to be visual learners too. But children often have different learning styles than us. Furthermore, they often have different learning styles than their siblings. The sooner we understand learning styles and which learning styles our children have, the sooner we'll be able to connect with them on a deeper and more meaningful level, and the sooner we'll be able to teach them effectively.

Below is an explanation of the four learning styles:

I.The Active Learner:

General characteristics

• Controlled by impulses. Likes to touch, manipulate, construct, take apart
• Short attention span, not too organized. Loves games.
• Wants to be unrestrained by structure, routine or authority.
• In a highly structured environment with strong authority he can quickly become a behavior problem, causing disruptions and acting defiantly.
• Quick wits and resourceful. Has the ability to act swiftly with precision.
• Excels in areas requiring invention, physical dexterity, resourcefulness, and courage.

Program Suggestions

• Strong but patient parenting.
• Environment that is quiet and clear of distractions.
• Establish a daily routine. Short breaks after each subject is completed. Do something physical during break.
• Introduce an element of competition where possible; for example use computer programs, such as Math Blaster (Davidson).
• Set short, achievable goals and immediately reward good attitudes and acceptable work. Incentive charts, stickers or special treats can all be motivational.
• Think sports. This learner is frequently gifted in areas that require physical dexterity. This is an acceptable release of their energy and it is often a place where they can excel and feel good about their achievements; it gives them a much needed focus and teaches them to control their impulsive behavior because they are highly motivated to play.

II. The Routine Learner

General Characteristics

• Naturally responsible, studious and nurturing.
• Prefers a quiet, well-organized and structured environment.
• Assimilates information by identifying and memorizing facts and procedures.
• Weakness is in seeing the big picture – understanding the principles, concepts and abstractions.

Program Suggestions

• Needs well-organized, sequential lessons presented in incremental steps.
• Don’t settle for correct answers on a multiple choice test; essay tests for the older routine learner are a much better method for assessing her understanding of the larger concepts.
• Reward her for creativity and trying new ventures: food, sports, travel, an academic competition, a creative story. Build open-ended assignments into your program – ones that require her to make choices and develop her own ideas.
  
  

III. The Focused Learner

General Characteristics

• Insatiable appetite for knowledge. He wants to be able to understand, explain, predict and control realities.
• Loves problem solving, research, experimentation and intellectual inquiry.
• Focuses on one task for long periods of time and can tune out all other distractions (or even all other responsibilities.)
• Can become frustrated if he cannot succeed in solving a problem or attaining his goals.
• Very objective and analytical in his decision-making and has a difficult time expressing emotions or understanding others’ emotional responses to situations.

Program Suggestions

• Show him why doing workings are a valuable use of his time, especially when the answers are immediately obvious to him.
• Can move ahead several levels in a subject area of great interest and strength.
• Think mentors. This type of learner often doesn’t enjoy working in groups or on teams unless others are as focused as he is.
• Finally, help this learner develop his interpersonal skills if they are weak.

IV. The Global Learner

General Characteristics

• Difficult to narrow pursuits to a manageable number of directions.
• Visionary and thinks about the future.
• Fascinated by others’ beliefs and attitudes:
• Creative and flexible, but not detail-oriented or technical.
• Failure or rejection of their work is often interpreted as failure or rejection of themselves.

Program Suggestions

• A discussion group will be more motivating than a lecture and a project more than a test.
• Think groups. Co-ops and field trips will become the focal point for most of the global learners’ studies.
• Needs help in learning to pay attention to details. Can be forgetful and careless in errors.

Compiled by Mrs. Patrice Lee. Master in Counseling, M.A.C.A. (Professional).

Director of Family Life Education for HOPEww Singapore.

Based on the method developed by Dr. Keith Golay in his book, “ Learning Patterns and Temperament Styles.”