Every child learns differently and will respond to different teaching strategies depending on his or her learning style. Some students will excel with hands-on activities, while others prefer quiet reading or writing-based learning. So what are the different learning styles, and which one does your child prefer? Below are tips for how to identify what type of learner your child is and how to incorporate strategies to help him or her learn best.

What are the types of learning?

There are seven main types of learning styles, and though students can process all seven, usually one stands out as their strongest. The seven types are:

• Auditory (aural-musical)
• Visual (spatial)
• Verbal (writing-speaking)
• Kinesthetic (physical)
• Social (interpersonal)
• Solitary (intrapersonal)
• Logical (mathematical)

Teachers often use a combination of these styles in class, but adapting at-home learning or study activities to your child’s strengths will help him or her excel. For example, if your child is an auditory learner, encourage him or her to practice other types of learning, but emphasize reading out loud, listening to music, etc.

Auditory Learners

Auditory learners thrive in situations where directions or lessons are spoken rather than written. They prefer listening to audiobooks rather than reading, or would rather give an oral report on something than write a report on it. Your child may be an auditory learner if he or she:

• Likes background music when playing or trying to sleep
• Talks to others or self frequently
• Asks lots of questions
• Enjoys reading aloud
• Has difficulty understanding written instructions

If your child is an auditory learner, there are several learning strategies you can adapt in at-home work and studying. These include:

• Using rhyming word games to help memorization
• Reading aloud whenever possible
• Use video or audio tapes instead of reading materials
• Recite and repeat vocabulary or study materials with eyes closed
• Talk through difficult areas
• Working in a quiet environment or playing soft background music

Visual Learners

Visual learners excel when they have strong visual aids or examples included in their learning. They prefer charts, graphs, and pictures in their activities, and may work better after seeing a demonstration of what they’re supposed to do. Your child may be a visual learner if he or she:

• Likes movies or TV better than reading, audiobooks, or music
• Likes drawing, pictures, or art activities
• Struggles with auditory directions or verbal instructions
• Becomes impatient or disengaged when listening to something
• Processes information better when it is displayed as a chart or graph

Visual learners will improve their learning and memorization with strategies like these:

• Color coordinating notes and using different colored pens
• Flashcards for study facts
• Drawing diagrams or charts for memorization
• Show problem solving when working with multi-step problems

Verbal

These learners are often grouped with visual learners, but while visual learners benefit from pictures, verbal learners prefer words through writing and speaking. They will like reading comprehension questions that directly relate to the passage they just read as well as interacting with the text. Your child may be a verbal learner if he or she:

• Likes reading books or stories
• Can recall information from something he or she read
• Has trouble concentrating with auditory distractions
• Doesn’t process oral or visual presentations well

Use strategies like the following to help your reading/writing–style child improve his or her study methods:

• Copy notes by hand instead of typing
• Repeat writing important information for memorization
• Provide written instructions for activities
• Keep notes organized with headings, titles, etc.
• Write notes in the margins of readings

Kinesthetic Learners

Learning by doing is the best way for kinesthetic learners to learn. They will prefer hands-on activities and have a hard time sitting still while learning. They will learn better by doing and figuring it out for themselves rather than watching someone else do it. Your child may be a kinesthetic learner if he or she:

• Has difficulty processing reading or auditory material
• Likes sports, science experiments, or other hands-on activities
• Likes study activities and games
• Likes puzzles or figuring things out independently

For these types of learners, try the following study strategies:

• Play study games instead of using flashcards
• Create practice tests to simulate test environment
• Act out situations instead of reading about them
• Use movement or whiteboards for studying activities instead of sitting still

Social Learners

Students who are social learners will process and understand better when working in a group. Group activities and projects, as opposed to individual work, will benefit these types of learners. This has more to do with the setting they thrive in rather than the style of learning. They can be visual, auditory, or other learners as well. Your child may be a social learner if he or she:

• Gravitates toward groups
• Is extroverted
• Naturally assumes a leadership role in a group
• Learns and performs better in group settings

For these learners, practice some of the following activities and learning strategies:

• Form study groups with friends and classmates
• Play group games
• Work/study in partners
• Repeat information back to a partner instead of writing it out

Solitary Learners

Solitary learners prefer working independently rather than in groups; this is the setting they prefer, whether they are auditory, visual, or reading/writing learners. This style of learner will focus better when working individually. Your child may be a solitary learner if he or she:

• Works faster, better, and more efficiently alone.
• Is generally independent
• Behaves privately
• Has a hard time concentrating in busy areas or loud groups

Use study strategies like the following for your solitary learners:

• Provide quiet or independent study time, especially in stressful or busy environments
• Provide lots of visual and reading/writing materials for your learners, so they have plenty to work on individually
• Limit group projects or work so as to not overwhelm your students
• Encourage your learners to work individually but share with a partner or group

Logical Learners

Logical learners benefit from mathematical learning activities and will prefer logical processes to abstract ones. Logical learners may benefit from both individual and group settings. Logical learners will exhibit the following:

• Strong pattern and number recognition
• Interest and talent in math and science
• Difficulty with creative or abstract subjects
• Understanding of statistics or facts

Encourage the following strategies to help your logical learners:

• Include puzzles, numbers, or statistics whenever possible
• Make vocabulary into a crossword puzzle
• Develop systems or patterns in all subject areas to help logical students process information

Helping students recognize what study strategies work for them will help develop study habits and patterns that will help them down the line. It’s also important to note that not every child has just one learning style and that children will need help figuring out what works best for them by testing out different strategies. Observe your child in a working environment and play games to figure out what works best!

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Christine Wooler has experience working with children as a youth soccer coach and summer camp counselor. She is currently studying English Literature and journalism in college. She enjoys exploring educational topics that help students have fun while learning.