| When you make a decision to begin to homeschool as | | | | To fully understand the content of a lesson, this |
| a parent, one of the next steps to take is choosing a | | | | student needs to see the teacher's facial expression |
| style or curriculum to follow. The choice of curriculum is | | | | and body language. They tend to prefer sitting "up |
| very personal and philosophical for many, but at the | | | | front" or close to the teacher so as to avoid |
| same time should be based upon howyour child or | | | | distractions. During a discussion or lecture, they often |
| children learn. This way your child learns is called a | | | | take detailed notes to absorb the information. These |
| learning style. | | | | students may think in pictures and learn best from |
| Information about learning styles is helpful for all | | | | visual displays such as: illustrated text books, videos, |
| homeschool students, especially those who have been | | | | handouts, flipcharts, diagrams, and overhead |
| labeled "learning disabled". It may be that they were | | | | transparencies. |
| simply not taught in their learning style. Some insight to | | | | 2. The Auditory Learner: Learning through listening. |
| understand your child's learning style will help you to | | | | These students learn best through verbal discussions, |
| individualize study time and methods. | | | | lectures, listening to what others have to say, and |
| Certain things you observe with your child is a good | | | | talking things out. They interpret the underlying |
| staring point. Perhaps your child appears to be | | | | meanings of speech through listening to the pitch, |
| constantly fidgeting or moving? Most likely he is a | | | | speed, and tone of voice, as well as other nuances. To |
| tactile/kinesthetic learner and these movements are his | | | | this student, written information has little meaning until it |
| way to learn and explore. Does your child seem to | | | | is heard. They benefit the most from reading and |
| always be talking? Try encouraging his auditory | | | | hearing text aloud. |
| approach to learning. Maybe your child asks to see the | | | | 3. The Tactile/Kinesthetic Learner: Learning through |
| picture or the video of the lesson? She is learning | | | | movement. |
| visually. All these different approaches to learning can | | | | These are the students who are always moving, |
| be accommodated with our home school curriculum! | | | | touching, and doing. They need to actively explore the |
| Have you noticed that your child excels in some | | | | world around them through a hands-on approach. |
| subjects, but struggles in others? Maybe you hear the | | | | They often find it difficult to sit still for long periods of |
| phrase "This is boring" or your child can't wait to work | | | | time and can easily become distracted by their need |
| on her favorite subject? Probably the "boring" subjects | | | | for exploration and activity. They often benefit by |
| are not being presented in your child's learning style. It is | | | | listening to music, using bright colors, and moving as |
| much easier and more fun to study when you | | | | they study. |
| understand the subject in your own learning style. | | | | Understanding how your child learns will improve both |
| Understanding your child's style will help you to | | | | parent and child homeschool learning experience. It will |
| personalize her study time and methods. | | | | help you identify communication problems and improve |
| Types of Learning Styles | | | | your teaching skills, as well. |
| 1. The Visual Learner: Learning through seeing. | | | | |