There are many ways that people learn, but the three main styles are auditory, kinesthetic and visual.
A person who learns best when information is presented in an auditory format might say things out loud when trying to remember them. For visual learners, pictures, charts, graphs and diagrams are an effective way to absorb information. Kinesthetic learners learn through hands-on activities, for example, by learning to count in tens by clapping their hands together.
Most people learn through a mixture of auditory, kinesthetic and visual styles, but may lean a bit more towards one style than another. At TutorMyKids our tutors understand that every student is unique, and they tailor their lessons to maximize a student’s success and build their confidence.
So, how do our tutors teach children with different learning styles? Here we share some of the ways we help children to achieve to the best of their abilities.
Auditory learning style
Auditory learners learn best through listening. They usually understand information better when it is spoken to them. These students usually have a clear verbal memory, and they are able to retain the information they hear.
To support a student with an auditory learning style our tutors might:
- Have conversations with them about the subject matter.
- Verbally question them to extend their understanding.
- Ask them to summarise their understanding verbally.
- Advise them to read revision material aloud and record it so they can play it back to themselves.
- Read material aloud to them.
- Ask them to put material to a song or a rhyme and keep rehearsing it.
Kinesthetic learning style
Kinesthetic learners tend to be active and involved with their learning. They process information primarily by touching, feeling, holding, moving around and ‘doing’. These learners tend to skip written instructions and get on with the making process, learning through trial and error.
Kinesthetic learners can be helped by being asked to:
- Trace words and diagrams with a finger or a pencil.
- Use role play or dance to bring a concept alive.
- Act out a character (if it is an English or history lesson, for example) to deepen their understanding.
- Take notes about a subject while they are reading or listening.
- Move real objects around to help them to understand something such as a new maths or science concept.
- Use tools such as a magnifying glass, a telescope or a camera as part of their learning.
- Make models from plasticine, playdough or clay. For example, a model of an animal cell for biology.
- Physically move around by jumping, clapping, walking or throwing and catching a ball to help them to understand something. For example, if they are learning to spell a word, they could shout out a letter every time they catch a ball.
Visual learning style
For visual learners, images can be a very effective way to convey information. The use of photographs and illustrations can help learners to see, understand and remember a concept being taught. For example, when discussing the digestive system in biology, they could be shown an image of the stomach or the intestines. In history lessons the student could be shown photographs of historical events to discuss.
We support visual learners by using:
- Flow charts or mind maps to organise information.
- Flashcards to review material.
- Drawing or writing on chalkboards and whiteboards.
- Different font styles, text colours and images on a computer.
- Slide shows.
- Film and TV.
When reading text students can be encouraged to highlight key information with a highlighter pen and to colour code different sections of material. They could also draw pictures and cartoons to illustrate concepts to help embed their understanding.
Would your child benefit from one-to-one tuition?
Whatever your child’s learning styles, we can help them to succeed. Our tutors take the time to get to know individual children and to find the most effective strategies to support them.
We offer tuition in English, maths, humanities and languages to children in Cambridge, Ely, Huntingdon, Newmarket and the surrounding areas.
To discuss your child’s needs please contact us today on 01223 858 421 or hello@tutormykids.co.uk