Homeschooling? who me........

What Are Learning Styles?

Each child is created to be totally unique. There are no two alike, in appearance, personality or preferences.

This uniqueness is often apparent in how children learn. One child may learn best by reading lots of books (visual) while another may have to try everything that they see in books (kinesthetic). A third child may learn best by listening to tapes and lectures (auditory). Most children have a combination of learning styles, but one style will be dominant.

Determining learning styles aids parents in choosing curriculum, teaching methods and extracurricular activities.

Visual Learners love watching videos and reading books with stimulating illustrations. I highly recommend Usborne, Eyewitness, Kingfisher and Dorling Kindersley books for these children. Felt sets are a great aid for illustrating ideas and stories, especially the Bible. Providing a visual context helps these children to understand the idea or concept being taught. Older students should be taught to take notes while studying and/or listening to lectures to reinforce visually what they are hearing.

Kinesthetic Learners are always doing something. They learn best through hands-on activities, in every subject. They are not content to merely observe, but must touch and manipulate everything they encounter. Unit Studies are ideal for these hands-on children because each fact or concept is taught through activities and reinforced in each subject. If unit studies are too labor-intensive for parents, field trips, crafts, activities, projects or whatever else you can imagine will bring any subject to life.

Auditory Learners receive and retain information best through listening: reading aloud by a parent or sibling, story tapes and books on tape. Lectures can be performed and recorded by a parent that has a flair for the dramatic. History and story tapes can be found that would enhance any homeschool, but especially appeal to the auditory learner.