Every child learns in their own way. As a homeschool mom of more than one child, I figured that out pretty quickly — but I didn't know what the learning styles were actually called until I looked into them. Here's what I learned, and why knowing your child's style can make homeschooling so much easier.
The 7 learning styles
1. Visual Learner (also known as a Spatial Learner)
Visual or spatial learners learn better through graphs, tables, charts, maps, colors, diagrams, flash cards, or watching educational videos. They sometimes tend to look at the big picture and miss the details.
2. Aural Learner (also known as an Auditory Learner)
Aural or auditory learners learn better by listening. They tend to do better in a lecture-style environment, and they also learn well by engaging in conversations and listening to music and videos.
3. Verbal Learner (also known as a Linguistic Learner)
Verbal or linguistic learners learn best by writing or speaking. They tend to learn better through language reasoning than abstract information — and they're usually better at word problems than at solving equations.
4. Physical Learner (also known as a Kinesthetic Learner)
Physical or kinesthetic learners learn better through movement rather than from a lecture. They learn through body movement, control, or expression.
5. Logical Learner (also known as a Mathematical Learner)
Logical or mathematical learners learn through problem solving, statistics and facts, using numbers, and their ability to reason. They usually learn by combining visual, kinetic, and auditory learning styles, and they learn best in an organized space.
6. Social Learner (also known as an Interpersonal Learner)
Social or interpersonal learners tend to work well in a group and flourish on building relationships. They communicate well through both verbal and non-verbal communication. Social or interpersonal learners are also referred to as "people smart."
7. Solitary Learner (also known as an Intrapersonal Learner)
Solitary or intrapersonal learners learn better when they work alone. They are self-motivated, concentrate well, and think independently. Solitary or intrapersonal learners need a distraction-free space to learn.
You don't have to force every child into the same mold. When you teach to the way your child actually learns, lessons get easier and frustration melts away.
How to use this in your homeschool
Once you notice which style (or blend of styles) fits your child, you can lean into it — more hands-on projects for a kinesthetic learner, read-alouds and discussion for an auditory learner, a quiet corner for a solitary learner. Not sure where your child lands? The free homeschool style quiz is a quick way to start, and once you know, my resources page can help you match curriculum to the way your child learns best.
Every child is wonderfully different
Whether you're raising a big-picture visual learner or a self-directed solitary one, the goal is the same: meet your child where they are. That's one of the greatest gifts homeschooling offers — the freedom to teach each child the way they learn best. For the full getting-started picture, visit my Start Here page, and grab the free checklist below.
Free homeschool starter checklist
A simple one-page checklist to start your homeschool year with confidence.
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