For parents of children with disabilities, this understanding becomes even more vital, offering insights that bridge gaps and open doors to progress. 

Let’s dive right in — are you ready to demystify the concept of learning styles and explore practical ways to identify and support your child’s unique blueprint? If so, you are in the right space. 

No matter where you or your child are on your learning journey, after this discussion, hopefully, you’ll be bustling with ideas to foster growth, confidence, and a love for learning in your learning ventures. 

Let's start with our visual learners!

VISUAL LEARNERS

Visual learners learn best through images, diagrams, charts, and other visual aids that help them see relationships and patterns.  These learners often remember faces and visual details well and enjoy watching demonstrations.  They also retain information more effectively when presented in a way that they can picture or visualize it.  

Key Strategies that Work: 

• • Using visual aids like mind maps, infographics, and videos

  • Highlighting or color-coding notes

  • Observing examples rather than hearing explanations

Practical Examples:

• • Reading and Writing: Written instructions, notes, and color-coded systems to organize information

  • Visual Aids: Charts, graphs, infographics, and flashcards to grasp concepts and retain details

  • Illustrations and Videos: Pictures, drawings, and educational videos to enhance comprehension

  • Mind Maps and Diagrams: Mind maps, graphic organizers, and diagrams to break down and organize information

  • Demonstrations: Performance or demonstration of a task to see an example in action to solidify understanding

Struggles Might Present As: 

• • Struggle to follow oral instructions without visual support

  • Difficulty processing information in noisy or chaotic environments

  • Frustration with abstract or conceptual lessons

AUDITORY LEARNERS

Auditory learners best absorb information through sound, so they thrive when lessons incorporate spoken words, music, or sounds. In fact, you may even find these learners talking aloud through problems or ideas.

Key Strategies that Work:

• Listening to lectures, audiobooks, or stories

• Engaging in discussions

• Playing music 

• Using rhymes or songs to memorize information

Practical Examples:

• Listening to Lectures or Read-Alouds: Lectures, read-alouds, podcasts, audiobooks, or having a teacher read material aloud

• Group Discussions: Group discussions, think-pair-share to think aloud

• Verbal Repetition: Repeating key points, explanations, or a verbal review to help retain information

• Songs, Rhythms, and Mnemonics: Songs, rhymes, or mnemonic devices to make information more memorable 

Struggles Might Present As: 

• Difficulty with silent reading or written instructions

• Easily distracted by background noise

• Visible frustration with tasks that lack verbal explanation

KINESTHETIC LEARNERS

Kinesthetic learners learn best through hands-on experiences and physical movement. They thrive when they can actively engage with the material rather than passively observing or listening.

Key Strategies that Work:

• Engaging in hands-on experiences and learning by doing (check out the science section)

• Moving while thinking

• Showing knowledge and role-playing 

• Using manipulatives or tactile resources like puzzles or models

Practical Examples:

• Movement-Based Activities: Role-playing, building models, or conducting experiments to show knowledge

• Hands-On Projects: Manipulating objects, playing games, or creating something tangible to help fully grasp concepts

• Real-Life Application: Create a bridge between concepts learned in real-world contexts

• Short Bursts of Focus: Frequent movement breaks to aid in time on task and focus

Struggles Might Present As: 

• • Difficulty sitting still for extended periods

  • Visible frustration with purely lecture-based or passive learning

  • Has challenges focusing on abstract concepts without practical application