Every child is not the same. The way one child learns may be different from how another one learns. That is why some students understand things fast in class, while others need more time or a different way to learn. As a parent, understanding your child’s learning style can help you support them better at home.
The idea of learning styles has been around for a long time, especially the VARK model; Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic; developed by Fleming and Mills (1992). While some researchers have debated how useful learning styles really are (Pashler et al., 2009; Rogowsky et al., 2015), many parents and educators still find the concept helpful as a starting point for understanding how children engage with learning.
Some learning styles to explore
Many learning styles have been discovered over the years, We will discuss four major styles that are prevalent in our daily lives of our children.
1. Visual Learners – They learn with their eyes
These children understand things better when they see pictures, drawings, or charts. If you are explaining something and you draw it or show them a video, they get it quickly (Fleming & Mills, 1992; Verywell Mind, 2024).
Example:
Let’s say you are helping your child with science, and you draw a diagram of the human body. A visual learner will remember the parts better because they can picture it in their mind. They may also enjoy colorful notes or flashcards.
2. Auditory Learners – They learn by listening
These ones learn best when they hear things. They remember what they hear more than what they read or see. Reading aloud or listening to someone explain helps them (Fleming & Mills, 1992).
Example:
If your child likes to repeat lessons out loud or remembers things you say word for word, they may be an auditory learner. They may enjoy songs, rhymes, or listening to you read their notes to them.
3. Kinesthetic Learners – They learn by doing
These children like to move around and use their hands. They don’t enjoy sitting in one place for too long. They understand better when they do something physical, like using real objects to solve problems (Verywell Mind, 2024; Parents.com, 2023).
Example:
If your child is learning measurements in math, let them use a cup and water to measure things in the kitchen. That hands-on activity will help them understand it better than just reading from a book.
4. Reading and Writing Learners – They like using text
Some children enjoy reading and writing more than anything else. They remember notes, love writing things down, and enjoy copying or making lists (Fleming & Mills, 1992).
Example:
If your child enjoys reading their textbook quietly or writes notes by themselves to revise, this might be their style. Giving them a quiet space and a notebook helps them a lot.
So, what can you do as a parent?
Watch your child. See what works best for them. Do they ask to draw? Do they talk while studying? Do they like touching things? Once you know their style, you can support them better at home and share this with their tutor.
Even though some experts say that teaching to a learning style doesn’t always improve results (Pashler et al., 2009), many parents and teachers still find it helpful to combine multiple methods so children can learn in different ways (Massa & Mayer, 2006). What matters most is that your child feels understood, motivated, and confident.
References
Fleming, N. D., & Mills, C. (1992). VARK: A guide to learning styles. Retrieved from https://vark-learn.com
Fallace, T. (2023). The long origins of the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning style typology, 1921–2001. History of Psychology, 26(4), 334–354.
Lee, L. (2023, March 28). Discover your child’s learning style: A guide for parents. Parents.com. https://www.parents.com/discover-your-childs-learning-style-7368094
Massa, L. J., & Mayer, R. E. (2006). Testing the ATI hypothesis: Should multimedia instruction accommodate verbalizer–visualizer cognitive style? Learning and Individual Differences, 16(4), 321–336.
Pashler, H., McDaniel, M., Rohrer, D., & Bjork, R. (2009). Learning styles: Concepts and evidence. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 9(3), 105–119.
Rogowsky, B. A., Calhoun, B. M., & Tallal, P. (2015). Matching learning style to instructional method: Effects on comprehension. Journal of Educational Psychology, 107(1), 64–78.
Verywell Mind. (2024). The VARK learning styles: Definition and types. https://www.verywellmind.com/vark-learning-styles-2795156
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