Discover Your Preschooler's Learning Style

Preschooler Learning Styles

Table of Contents

Many people have discovered that one-size-fits-all education often found in institutional settings does not serve all children equally. Often, families homeschool in order to customize an education that better fits their child’s needs. To create the optimal learning environment for your homeschool, you should take several things into consideration; personality, temperament, strengths, weaknesses, and a working knowledge of your child’s learning style. Having a keen understanding of your preschooler’s learning style will enable you to choose curricula that will maximize his/her potential.

Learn and Play

Everyone is unique and processes information individually. In traditional settings, classroom management may dictate what methods are encouraged. In ideal situations, curricula can be tailored to meet the needs of individual children; a scenario that is not practical with large groups of children. Homeschoolers have the ability to do this. By discovering and utilizing your child’s learning style, a homeschool parent can create a learning environment that makes for more efficient learning where both student and teacher are less frustrated.

There are three basic learning styles; visual, aural, and kinesthetic. Simply put, people tend to learn best through their eyes, their ears, or their bodies. Ultimately, most people learn best by a combination of 2 or all three of these styles, but one is usually stronger. Most children have a high need for movement until about age 8, making a discovery of your preschooler’s style a bit tricky. Still, it is never too early to begin watching your child and discovering all you can about their unique bent. The following are the basic learning styles and how you can spot them in your preschooler.

Visual Learners

Visual Learners process information through their eyes; grasping information through what they see. Their visual environment is very important. Even in young children, you can spot the tell-tale signs of a budding visual learner. They like color and often pay attention to whether their clothes match. They remember what they see, they try to read early, they like to work in quiet settings, and they may forget simple oral instructions. Strategies for visual learners include:

Utilizing Lots of Print
Using Color
Using Graphics, Posters, and Maps
Staying Away From Fluorescent Lights
Using Flashcards
Tracing Letters, numbers, and words
Use Video

Tips for teaching visual learners

Teaching visual learners can be a challenge, but it can also be a lot of fun. Visual learners are those who learn best through images, diagrams, and other visual aids. If you have a preschooler who is a visual learner, there are a few things you can do to make learning more enjoyable for them.

Firstly, consider using colorful pictures and charts as teaching aids. This can help your child to remember information more effectively. For example, if you are teaching your child about animals, use pictures of different animals, label them, and encourage your child to repeat their names.

Another great way to teach visual learners is through arts and crafts. Activities like drawing, painting, and creating collages can help your child to visualize what they are learning. You can ask your child to draw pictures of something you are teaching them, like a tree or a flower, to help reinforce the concept.

If your child is a visual learner, it’s also a good idea to encourage them to use their imagination. For example, if you are teaching your child about the solar system, encourage them to imagine what it would be like to visit each planet.

Every child is different, and what works for one visual learner may not work for another. The key is to experiment with different teaching methods until you find what works best for your child. By doing this, you can help your child to develop a love for learning that will last a lifetime.

Aural or Auditory Learners

Aural Learners process information through their ears. These children learn best by listening and talking. You may have an aural learner if they are quick to notice sounds, talk a lot, are good at explaining, and enjoy acting/performing. Strategies for the aural learner include:

Listening to Music in the Background
Discussing What is Being Read
Reading Aloud
Repeating Instructions
Oral Brainstorming (letting the teacher take notes)
Use Mnemonic Devices or Rhymes for Memorization
Giving Oral Instructions/Explanations
Use Audiotapes
Taking Frequent Breaks From Written Work
Give Oral tests

Strategies for teaching auditory learners

If your preschooler is an auditory learner, there are many strategies that you can implement to help them thrive and excel in their learning. Auditory learners absorb information best through sound and spoken words, so it’s important to incorporate these elements into their learning experiences.

One effective strategy for teaching auditory learners is to read aloud to them frequently. Whether it’s a storybook, a poem, or a lesson, hearing the words spoken aloud can help an auditory learner retain information better than simply reading it silently. You can also encourage your child to read aloud to you, which will help them solidify their understanding of what they’ve read.

Another strategy is to incorporate music and songs into their learning. Auditory learners often have a strong sense of rhythm and can easily remember information that is set to music. Consider creating catchy songs or rhymes to help your child remember important concepts or facts.

Additionally, auditory learners benefit from verbal instruction and explanation. When teaching your child new information or demonstrating a new skill, be sure to provide clear and concise verbal instruction. This will help them understand and remember the information more effectively.

Tactile or Kinesthetic Learners

Kinesthetic/Tactile Learners need hands-on activities that help make abstract concepts concrete. They learn best by doing. These children are easy to spot because they are always moving, enjoy sports and activities, like to build, and seem to want to touch everything! Learning Strategies for kinesthetic learners include:

Drawing as They Listen
Using Manipulatives for Math
Take Frequent Breaks From “School”
Using the Floor and Bed as a Desk!
Hands-On Projects
Discovery
Keeping it Short and Active

Techniques for teaching kinesthetic learners

Kinesthetic learners are individuals who learn best by physically doing things, rather than simply listening or watching. This means they need to be actively engaged in their learning process to fully understand and retain information.

For preschoolers, there are numerous techniques that can be used to teach them in a way that suits their kinesthetic learning style. One great technique is to incorporate movement into learning activities. For example, you can have your child practice writing letters in the air using their whole arm, or have them jump up and down while counting numbers.

Another technique is to use sensory play to help kinesthetic learners understand concepts. You can use sensory bins filled with materials like sand, rice, or beads for your child to manipulate and explore. This can help them learn about texture, size, and shape in a way that is hands-on and engaging.

Encourage your child to use their whole body to learn. For example, you can have them act out stories or use physical movements to represent concepts like adding and subtracting. This can help them remember and understand the information in a way that is enjoyable and memorable.

How to identify your preschooler’s learning style

Identifying your preschooler’s learning style can be a bit of a challenge since every child is unique and has their own way of learning. However, there are a few strategies that you can use to help identify your child’s learning style.

Firstly, you can observe your child’s behavior when they are engaged in different activities such as playing, reading, or drawing. Do they prefer hands-on activities or do they enjoy reading and listening to stories? Are they more visual learners or do they prefer to learn through listening?

Another strategy is to talk to your child’s preschool teacher or caregiver. They work with your child on a daily basis and can provide valuable insights into your child’s learning style. They can also suggest activities and learning materials that align with your child’s learning style.

You can also use online assessments and quizzes designed to identify different learning styles. These assessments can help you understand your child’s strengths and weaknesses and tailor your teaching methods accordingly.

Tips for teaching visual learners

How to best teach children with multiple learning styles

Every child is unique and has their own learning style. Some children may have a single learning style, while others may have multiple. It’s essential to know your child’s learning style and to tailor your teaching methods to suit their needs. However, if your child has multiple learning styles, you may feel at a loss as to how to teach them effectively. Here are some tips and strategies that will help you best teach children with multiple learning styles.

Use a multi-sensory approach

Multiple learning styles can be addressed by using a multi-sensory approach. This means incorporating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles into your teaching. For example, if your child is a visual learner, you can use pictures, charts, and diagrams to help them understand concepts. If they are an auditory learner, you could use audio recordings, songs, and rhymes to help them remember information. If they are a kinesthetic learner, you can use hands-on activities and movement to reinforce learning.

Encourage self-directed learning

Encourage your child to take charge of their own learning by allowing them to choose activities that align with their learning style. This will help them to become more engaged and motivated in their learning.

Be patient

Children with multiple learning styles may take longer to comprehend certain concepts. Be patient and provide extra support as needed. You may need to repeat information or provide additional examples, but eventually, your child will understand.

Work with your child’s strengths

Identify your child’s strengths and use them to help them learn. For example, if your child is good at art, you can use art projects to help them understand concepts.

Using a variety of teaching methods

As every child is unique, it is important to use a variety of teaching methods to help them learn and grow. Children have different learning styles, and while some may learn best through visual aids, others may prefer hands-on activities. Hence, it is essential to use a combination of teaching methods to cater to the individual needs of each child.

Using a variety of teaching methods ensures that your child remains engaged and interested in the learning process. For instance, if your child is struggling to understand a particular concept, you can try explaining it to them using visual aids such as pictures or videos. Similarly, if they are more hands-on, you can give them activities to do that will help them understand the concept better.

Using different teaching methods also gives children the opportunity to explore and discover their own learning styles. As they try different methods, they will become more aware of how they learn best, which will help them in the future as they progress through their education.

Incorporate your Child’s Interests

Incorporating your child’s interests into learning is a great way to make the learning process more enjoyable and effective for them. Children are naturally curious and eager to learn about the things that they find interesting.

To start, take the time to observe your child’s interests and passions. Maybe they love animals, space, or art. Whatever it may be, use it as a starting point for learning.

Try to incorporate your child’s interests into different subjects such as math, science, reading, and writing. For example, if your child loves animals, you can teach them about the different types of animals, their habitats, and their characteristics.

You can also use their interests to create hands-on learning activities. If your child loves art, have them draw or paint pictures of what they’re learning. If they love music, incorporate songs into their learning.

Incorporating your child’s interests into learning not only makes the learning process more enjoyable for them but also helps them to retain the information better. When learning is fun and engaging, children are more likely to be interested and invested in the process. Additionally, by incorporating their interests into learning, you are showing your child that their interests and passions are valued and important.

Celebrating your child’s unique learning style

Understanding your preschooler’s unique learning styles is crucial to help them have a positive and successful learning experience. As parents, it is important to recognize that every child is different and has their own individual way of learning. Celebrating your child’s unique learning style helps them to feel valued and confident in their abilities.
By identifying your child’s learning style, you can tailor their learning experiences to match their strengths. This can help them to learn more effectively and efficiently, and will also help them to enjoy the learning process.

It is important to keep in mind that your child’s learning style may change over time, and it is important to be flexible and adaptable in your teaching approach. It is also important to communicate with your child’s teacher to ensure that their learning needs are being met in the classroom.

Remember, every child has their own unique talents, abilities, and ways of learning. Celebrating and embracing these differences can help your child to thrive and reach their full potential.