How Does Your Child Learn Best?

How Does Your Child Learn Best?

It doesn’t take an education professional to know that when it comes to learning, each person is unique. As a parent, it’s not just helpful to know more about how your child learns—it’s essential. You’ve probably heard before about learning styles, which are often explained through different theories and models. Here are a few well-known types that suggest how students might approach learning tasks:

The VARK model – This commonly cited model examines learning style through the senses:

• Visual learners learn best through the use of visual aids, diagrams, or other visual tools other than words.
• Auditory learners process best through listening, reading aloud and talking about ideas.
• Read/write learners prefer taking in information through the texts which they read.
• Kinesthetic learners prefer using their hands or body to learn by “doing.”

The Experiential Learning Model – This model considers learning as a cycle that begins with a concrete experience, moves into reflective observation to understand the meaning of things from different viewpoints, abstract conceptualization to analyze a situation, and active experimentation to reinforce learning through action. In short, the cycles are feeling, watching, thinking and doing. 

You can work with your school’s guidance counseling office to arrange for your child to take one or more learning assessments to better understand his or her learning style. However, you can still get a good idea of how your child learns, the types of environments that suit him or her best, and more by asking the right questions and being observant. Start with these topics for discussion with your child:

When does your child seem to absorb information? While reading? While being read to? While talking things through?

How and where does your child prefer to do homework? Is your child most focused when listening to music? In a quiet space? When studying alone, or with siblings?

When does your child seem the most productive? In the morning or at night? Immediately after school or after dinner?

What seems to be the best way for your child to grasp new information? Through reading? Visual aids? By watching someone else do something first?

What are your child’s best subjects? What concepts are easiest and hardest for your child? What does the teacher think? Why does your child prefer certain subjects over others?

What environments get your child most excited about learning? Indoor or outdoor? Smaller classes or larger ones? Classes with frequent group discussions or those where students learn independently?

Getting to know your child as a student is valuable because it will help you work effectively with his or her teacher when issues arise. Just as important, you will be better equipped to nurture your child’s strengths and guide your child toward overcoming weaknesses. If you need help, contact Huntington. We can assess your child’s learning style and preferences and academic strengths and weaknesses and develop a program of instruction to help your child become the best student possible. Call us at 800-CAN-LEARN.   

About Huntington

Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader.  Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams.  Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards.  Founded in 1977, Huntington’s mission is to give every student the best education possible.  Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com.