Posted in Teaching Thoughts

Somewhere along the homeschool journey, it's nearly inevitable that you'll either become involved in, or at least read, a conversation about learning styles.

From a casual perspective, knowing about learning styles may seem deceptively easy, maybe even unnecessary.

If you feel like you are connecting adequately with your child and they seem to be enjoying the materials you present, then why look into theories about learning?

Maybe, as in my own case, you think that your child reminds you "so much of yourself as a child." 

Therefore, teaching him or her should be easy, right?  You know what you would have enjoyed as a child, so surely you can teach/present/use this material for your homeschool.

But, you may find some differences that are just a bit baffling.  You don't remember having the same difficulties learning certain things.  You don't remember making these types of logical mistakes.

So, what's going on here? 

This is where theory may be able to inform practice.

A while back, I read an interesting description of learning styles in Deborah Bell's Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling. 

In this, Bell outlines the basic theory of Golay's model of learning styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (or tactile).  For a good overview of these, see here. 

But Bell also presents Golay's patterns of learning, extrapolated from individual patterns of learning.  These she defines as: actual-spontaneous, actual-routine, conceptual-specific, and conceptual-global.  These each have their own traits, building upon the initial basic theory and including temperament, motivation, and relations.  See here for a brief overview of these.

When I read Bell's descriptions, which she breaks down in her book into indicators, dislikes, and weaknesses, I recognized myself immediately as a conceptual-specific learner.  I have been such since around middle-school age. 

But, I also realized that this description did not fit my daughter. 

Surprise!

Two things about Bell's description confirmed my understanding.  The first was her checklist, which described many aspects of my daughter: creative, early reader, outgoing, dramatic, perceptive, popular, and let's not forget - forgetful. 

The second was Bell's analysis of this type of learner: "This is the kid who takes a quick look at his or her math homework and says, 'Oh, I know how to do this,' then proceeds to fill out the whole thing incorrectly."

We've been here more than once. 

What was reassuring to me, though, was to know that these differences weren't something to worry about, but something to work with.

My "detail oriented" nature is going to have to come to terms with my daughter's lack of interest in all details. 

But, realizing that this is part of how she prefers to learn, rather than an issue of obedience or will, allows me to be more gentle as I try to train her to take care of details.  And allows me grace to forgive myself as I deal with my "perfectionist" nature.

There are other theories about learning styles.  I stopped researching when I felt that what I read "fit" what I'd experienced.  And, despite the fact that these descriptions ring true for us, there are areas that are flexible. 

Apparently, one of the weaknesses of my daughter's conceptual-global style of learning is spelling - yet she's a phenomenal speller.  In theory, the careers that conceptual-specific learners (like myself) gravitate toward are science, mathematics, and technology.  I enjoy these topics, but my degrees are in business and history. 

Which suggests that learning styles are not "set-in-stone" - but can change and develop as individuals mature as scholars. 

Which may also be a relief to some parents.

All theories aren't perfect - nor are they excuses.  Standards have to be met no matter what one's preferred learning style may be. 

But understanding how different children approach learning can also help parents figure out how to motivate them to achieve the goals and standards that they need.

And understanding that our method of learning may differ from our child might make some of the homeschool days go a bit easier.