Respect Learning Styles

If a child insists on plugging into their iPod when they work, or if they swears that flash cards are the only way that they are able to learn their spelling words- listen up! While you may prefer a quiet room with no distractions when it comes to getting work done, that doesn’t mean it’s the best way for your kids to concentrate and get down to business.

Howard Gardner’s work shows there are different kinds of intelligences-or ways kids learn best-which include: musical, spatial, logical-mathematical, linguistic, bodily, intrapersonal, interpersonal and naturalist.


The trick is to pay attention to how a child learns best so you as a teacher or parent can identify their unique learning style (not yours!) and then tap into it help them be more successful. For instance, if a child learns best by remembering what they see, point it out to them and encourage them to draw, mindmap or verbalise those images.