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To keep your students engaged during lessons, it’s essential to recognize their learning styles. Children learn differently; unless you employ methods that cater to their learning style, they will struggle to take in information.
When you recognize the different learning styles around the classroom, you can differentiate the curriculum and introduce fun elements to help different learning styles. These are the main learning styles to look out for in your classroom.
Visual Learners
Visual learners take in information by seeing things. These children are often very in tune with their parent's facial expressions and body language. They also think in pictures rather than fully formed sentences often, and they will struggle to take in information if they don’t have visual aids. When teaching visual learners, use bright, colorful educational games from sites like ABCmouse, for example. They also respond very well to demonstrations and diagrams. Whenever you try to explain things, ensure you have visual aids to hold their attention and help them grasp complex concepts.
Auditory Learners
Auditory learners learn through listening. Written information does not go in well, so they will need verbal explanations, too. Auditory learners tend to pick up on information best when they discuss it and talk it through, so group discussions are great. Auditory learners are often distracted by loud noise, so they learn best in a quiet environment where they can hear verbal directions and explanations.
Tactile Learners
Tactile learners are practical learners who prefer to do things with their hands. If you explain information to them or show them visual aids, it won’t always stick. They tend to solidify information by drawing it. They also work well with educational toys offered through KinderLab Robotics, which teach them new ideas and concepts through play. Tactile learners like environments where they can explore and use toys and games to learn things themselves instead of sitting down and having things explained to them.
Kinesthetic Learners
Kinesthetic learners are often overlooked because teachers don’t always know how to deal with them. They are children who like to learn through movement and often have trouble sitting still. Just like tactile learners, they like to explore their learning environment but need to be active. Kinesthetic learners respond well to simple games that involve full-body movement. Try not to keep them glued to their seat because they will soon become fidgety and lose concentration.
Many teachers struggle to engage their students because they don’t recognize that they have different learning styles or know how to tailor lessons to different styles. If you try to teach a child with a kinesthetic learning style by engaging them in group discussions, for example, you won’t get very far. So, pay attention to your students and determine their learning style, and you will have much more success.
