November 10, 2009 by Rhona Sallay

Every Child has a different learning style in which she or he learns best. Two students may attend a course with the same teacher and desribe the experience quite differently depending on their learning preferences.  Understanding learning styles is an important step towards increasing your child's learning power and helping her/him learn most effectively.

There are three primary learning styles used as a convenient way to describe differences in learning preferences. The three styles are: visual, auditory and tactile. 

§  Visual learners learn best through seeing and visualizing information

§  Strategies:

o Take detailed notes for future review

o Use colour to highlight important points

o Practice visualizing information through pictures, graphs, charts and flashcards

o  Sit near the front of the classroom to avoid other visual distractions 

Auditory Learners  

§  Auditory learners learn best through listening, discussion and talking through ideas

§  They interpret the underlying menaing of speech through listening to tone of voice, pitch and speed

§  Strategies:

o Review and learning materials through reciting them aloud 

o Study with a peer to discuss and hear the information

o Consider using an audio recorder to tape and review notes before a test or exam 

o  Take advantage of adaptive technology software to learn and review materials

Tactile Learners  

§  Tactile learners learn best through doing and direct involvement

§  They have strong motor memory and learn through movement and touch

§   Strategies: 

o Provide opportunities for hands-on / active participation

o Translate what they are learning into something that can be touched

o Focus on one task over a short period of time 

o Avoid working in one constant area and allow ongoing movement

o Take frequent short breaks when doing homework and studying