Three Learning Styles — Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic

“To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.”
-- Tony Robbins

As children grow, they continuously experience the world in new and different ways. The way in which they experience and learn about the world around them is very individual as well. That's why it's important for those of us in early childhood education to understand and sometimes cater to the diversity of learning styles in the classroom environment.

Although different learning styles emerge as children mature, research indicates that preschool students generally learn in one of three ways: Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic. Often times, students blend one or more of these styles together. For the most part, no one relies completely on one learning style over their entire lifetime.

See it. Hear it. Touch it. - Three Diverse Learning Styles.

• Visual Learners remember information when presented with pictures or images. They often recognize numbers and letters more effectively than children with another type of learning style.
• Auditory Learners understand information best when they hear it. In early education, auditory learners prefer listening to stories or telling stories because it helps elevate their understanding.
• Kinesthetic Learners are typically physically active children in the classroom. These children learn best by manipulating objects and engaging in physical activities.

Recognizing that each child has a unique learning style, today's teachers need to develop a variety of plans and activities to keep young students engaged. The challenge for every educator is to frame the material so that students can best understand it.

To give you an example, Math Teachers can utilize flashcards to engage their Visual Learners. They can recite 2 + 2 = 4 for their Auditory Learners. And a counting game with marbles or building blocks resonates well with their tactile Kinesthetic Learners.

This additional level of effort (and creativity) can positively impact a student's overall success in capturing and retaining information. At World Academy, we design individualized learning plans that accommodate and celebrate the uniqueness of each and every child.