(The forthcoming book: From the Principal’s Desk – A Journey of Lessons)
Dr Arun Prakash
Frank Lloyd Wright, the famous American architect, is best known for designing iconic buildings like Fallingwater, which beautifully blends nature with architecture. What’s fascinating is how his early learning experiences shaped his career. From a young age, Wright demonstrated a keen interest in shapes, visuals, and spatial designs. His mother noticed this and provided him with geometric blocks and visual aids that helped him develop his visual-spatial learning abilities. This early observation of his learning style had a profound impact, as Wright went on to design some of the most celebrated architectural masterpieces, like Fallingwater.
Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright, : Picture Credits: Pixabay
His success shows how recognizing and nurturing a child’s natural learning preferences can make a significant difference.
But what exactly is visual learning and are there other types of learning styles? How can identifying these styles help children learn better? Is there any scientific basis for these learning types? Most importantly, how can parents and teachers identify the learning style of a child and use that knowledge to support them?
These are the questions we will explore in this chapter. But before we proceed, remember that this is not about learning disabilities like dyslexia or ADHD, which we will discuss in another chapter. Here, we are talking about the different ways children naturally learn, which vary from one child to another.
The History of Learning Styles
The idea that children learn in different ways—whether through visual, auditory, or kinaesthetic means—was first researched and documented by Walter Burke Barbe and his colleagues in the 1970s. They introduced the concept of the VAK model, which identifies three major types of learning styles: visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic. Barbe’s research led to educational practices that recognized the importance of tailoring teaching methods to each child’s sensory strengths.
Later, in 1983, Howard Gardner expanded on this idea with his famous Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Gardner proposed that intelligence isn’t a single general ability but instead consists of multiple types, including linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial (visual), musical (auditory), and bodily-kinaesthetic. His theory broadened the understanding of how individuals learn, emphasizing that education should be personalized to match each learner’s unique strengths.
Gardner’s work revolutionized education by challenging the idea of a “one-size-fits-all” approach to learning, aligning with earlier models like VAK but going beyond them to include other forms of intelligence.
Observing and Understanding Your Child’s Learning Style
As a parent or teacher, you don’t need any special training to identify your child’s learning style. Simple observation is often enough to give you clues about how they learn best.
For example, visual learners tend to love looking at pictures, videos, or diagrams. They might enjoy reading books with lots of illustrations or maps, and they may spend a lot of time drawing or building things that require an understanding of space and structure.
Auditory learners, on the other hand, engage more through listening. They might love music, storytelling, or listening to verbal instructions. You may notice that they prefer listening to audiobooks or engaging in discussions and remember things better when they are explained out loud.
Then there are kinaesthetic learners, who thrive when they can learn through movement and hands-on activities. These children often seem restless in traditional learning environments but light up when they can build, craft, or play physical games.
Patterns in Problem Solving
The way your child solves problems can also give clues about their learning style.
- Visual learners usually prefer to see things laid out in front of them. They might ask to see a demonstration before attempting a task themselves.
- Auditory learners excel when problems are explained verbally. They might ask a lot of questions or prefer to hear explanations before diving into a task.
- Kinaesthetic learners, however, learn best by doing. They prefer to jump into a task and figure things out through trial and error, often excelling in hands-on activities or physical tasks.
Testing Preferences at Home
You can try some simple activities at home to figure out your child’s learning style.
- For visual learners, use flashcards, picture books, or drawing exercises to explain new concepts. You’ll notice that these children retain information better when they can see it.
- Auditory learners benefit from reading aloud, listening to music, or engaging in discussions about what they’re learning.
- Kinaesthetic learners do well with activities that involve physical movement or hands-on tasks like building models, playing with blocks, or acting out scenes from a story.
Homework and Study Behaviour
The way your child approaches homework can also be a helpful indicator.
- Visual learners often enjoy organizing their work using charts, mind maps, or diagrams.
- Auditory learners benefit from reading aloud or using audio aids like recordings or repeating key information.
- Kinaesthetic learners might struggle to sit still for long periods but thrive when they’re allowed to study in short bursts with physical activity in between. They may enjoy using physical objects or models to understand abstract concepts.
Asking for Their Input
Sometimes, it’s as simple as asking your child how they like to learn. You might ask them questions like, “Do you like it better when I show you how to do something, or when I explain it?” or “Would you rather watch a video about this, or listen to someone talk about it?” Their answers can give you valuable insights into their preferred learning style.
Engaging Teachers and Caregivers
Teachers and caregivers can also offer useful insights. They may notice things in the classroom that aren’t as obvious at home. For example, a teacher might observe how your child responds to class discussions (indicating auditory learning), visual aids (indicating visual learning), or physical activities (indicating kinaesthetic learning).
Consulting Experts
If you’re still unsure or if your child is consistently struggling with learning, it may be worth consulting an expert, such as a learning specialist or educational psychologist. These professionals can conduct assessments to pinpoint your child’s learning style and recommend tailored strategies to help them thrive.
Multimodal Learning: A Blend of Styles
Many children don’t rely on just one learning style. Multimodal learners use a combination of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic approaches depending on the situation. For example, a student might watch a video (visual), listen to a teacher explain (auditory), and then try the activity themselves (kinesthetic). This flexibility makes learning more effective by reinforcing the material in different ways.
In real-life scenarios, information is often presented in multiple formats. Take learning to cook, for example. You might read a recipe (visual), watch a demonstration (visual), and then practice the technique (kinesthetic). Similarly, learning a musical instrument might involve watching a video tutorial, listening to a teacher’s instructions, and practicing the instrument—all of which combine different learning styles for a richer experience.
Having multiple learning styles is not only possible but common. By observing how your child interacts with the world, solves problems, and approaches learning, you can gain valuable insight into their learning preferences. This understanding allows you to better support their growth and, if necessary, seek expert guidance to ensure they receive the best possible learning experience. Embracing and utilizing various learning styles can significantly enhance your child’s education, helping them thrive both academically and personally.
Next: Tailoring study techniques to maximize learning potential.