What type of learner is your child?

Jun 17, 2010 12:24 PM by Laura Willard

Posted in Living / School & Education / Studying & Making the Grade

Checklist: Learning Types

Not all children learn in the same manner. A single classroom contains children with broadly differing learning styles, yet are taught in the same way. And even within the same family, siblings often possess their own learning styles. Knowing what type of learner your child is will help you tailor his education, study environment and the way in which you help him learn. Kim Duckworth, academic coach and owner of SEC Tutoring in Scottsdale, Arizona, explains eight styles of learning based on Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. Use this checklist to determine your child's learning style.

Girl Reading Outside

Linguistic:

Good with words
Prefers to learn with words or language
Excellent at communicating
Careers that linguistic learners often pursue: Speaker, journalist, attorney

Encourage your kids to read >>

Logical-mathematical:

Good with numbers
Strong sense of reasoning, shows very logical thinking
Good at detecting patterns, shows strong scientific reasoning and deduction, and can predict outcomes of events, particularly when they are based on numbers
Careers that logical-mathematical learns often pursue: Scientist, engineer, accountant

Printable math pages for kids >>

Spatial:

Learns best with pictures
Likes to look at charts, graphs, etc.
Careers that spatial learners often pursue: Artist, designer, architect, photographer, inventor

Essential art supplies for creative kids >>

Kinesthetic:

"Body smarts" -- needs movement to learn
Able to handle objects well
Has a good sense of timing
Careers that kinesthetic learners often pursue: Dancer, firefighter, athlete, soldier, diver

Enhance children's activity >>

Musical/auditory:

Sensitive to rhythm, sound, tone and music
Able to sing on pitch, enjoys playing musical instruments
Learns well from lectures
Careers that musical learners often pursue: Singer, composer, conductor

How music makes your child smarter >>

Interpersonal Learner:

"People smarts" -- enjoys working with others, in groups, etc.
Extroverted
Sensitive to others' moods and feelings
Good communicator
Careers that interpersonal learners often pursue: Therapist, educator, clergy

Fortify sensitive kids >>

Intrapersonal learner:

"Self smart" -- self reflective
Introverted
Very in touch with own feelings and motivations
More solitary than other types
Careers that intrapersonal learners often pursue: Psychologist, writer, philosopher

Helping shy kids come out of their shells >>

Naturalistic learner:

In touch with nature
Knows where things are, doesn't tend to get lost
Studies well near an open window or outside
Careers that naturalistic learners often pursue: Farmer, gardener

5 Earth-friendly outings with your kids >>

Once you determine the type of learner your child is, you can better understand how he learns best. It might make more sense to you that your child tends to move a lot while he studies if you know he is a kinesthetic learner, for example. Duckworth cautions parents that changing a child's learning style is impossible. Instead, he advises you to work with it!