Speaking my language

Once upon a time when my nephew and niece were young (they’re both in college now) my sister sold Discovery Toys. She did it as a way to bring in some extra money while being a stay at home mom, but also because they had wicked cool toys. At some point she attended some sort of conference and while there took a workshop on the learning styles – she came home with all sorts of materials about it and it’s just been one of those things that has stuck with me all these years. First, it’s been helpful to me as a writer, to know what my learning style is (visual) and what that means for my writing process and my strengths and weaknesses. But here lately, it’s been cool as my girls have gotten older for me to identify their learning styles and try to work around them.

I’m just going to hit on some highlights of this stuff because I’m no expert, but I find it all particularly interesting and hope you will too.

Visual – learn from seeing

good at computers
likes to play with blocks/design things
does well in school
like charts and maps
like to read it themselves
appear to be quiet or snobbish at first
need encouragement to do physical things
need alone time

Auditory – learn from hearing

very musical and rhythmic
best in school
likes to talk
good at following directions
need background noise
good at languages
often hums or whistles (babbled a lot as a baby)
dramatic & outgoing

Kinesthetic – learn by doing

on the move/very physical
do things by their gut feelings
like to touch things
not great students
atheletic and physically coordinated
love the outdoors
easily distracted
need tangible things

As a mom I’m always looking for ways to better communicate and interact with my kids. Recognizing that Busybee is a kinesthetic learner and that Babybee is an auditory learner helps. I know that when I tell Busybee to do something, I need her to stand in front of me so I can put my hand on her – touching her arm engages her into the conversation and allows her to better hear my instructions. Whereas Babybee can hear what I say in the other room – now whether or not she obeys in another story, and that has nothing to do with her learning style and everything to do with her orneriness. It also helps me be a good wife. I know that The Professor is an auditory learner so no matter what he’s doing he wants to have noise on – TV or music. If I’m writing, but I want to be in the same room as him, I bring my earbuds so he can have his mind engaged by the background noise, but I won’t be distracted by it.

So how about you? Do you know where you fall on the spectrum? Or your kids or spouse?