Learning Styles in Preschoolers

Learning Styles = your child's combined strengths and preferences for using sight, sound and movement to learn.

Children, and adults, learn in many ways. We use different parts of the brain and body to absorb, make sense of and act in the world. We all learn in part by observing others and the things around us, by listening and discussing, by jumping in and doing something with our hands or bodies. Some parts of our brains are stronger and more active than others, leading us to find learning and acting in certain ways more engaging and enjoyable than doing so in other ways. Learning styles are simply our preferred ways of learning new things, depending on which of our senses - particularly sight, hearing/speech and touch/movement - we find most engaging to use. Even very young children sometimes have noticeable preferences, strengths and weaknesses. For some years, it was assumed (and hoped) that a learning style match would improve cognitive learning, but research has not shown any such effects. However, if you are as concerned about the joy of the journey as with the destination, you might consider a learning style match in your choice of preschools.

The three long-recognized learning styles include these:

• Visual: Child learns best by seeing things written or in pictures and may use written or drawn "props" to reinforce own learning. Child is stimulated and engaged when surroundings are visually interesting. Child may be easily bothered by disorder, clutter, and changes in location.
• Auditory: Child learns best by listening, talking, and discussing. Child is stimulated by sounds and voices, and talks or makes noise to fill silence. May be bothered by loud, disorganized noise.
• Kinesthetic/Tactile: Kinesthetic children like to move their bodies while working. These children are stimulated by physical activity and focus best while moving. Kinesthetic children may be bothered by sitting still for long periods without using body or hands. Tactile children like and are able to do fine motor work with hands, such as handwriting, drawing and building with small parts. They like hands-on projects.

Learning Styles and The Preschool Search