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Learning Styles and Narration
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I am fairly confident that my ds is a visual learner. A test I did on him scored 60%visual 40% kinesthic 0% auditiory. How should this information affect oral narrations? Do I push him through it because it teaches him to think or do I start out with having him draw his narrations first and then explain it orally? Please give your thoughts, opinions, experiences.
Amy
Amy, how did you test him? I read a terrific book about learning styles several years ago, but I no longer have that book. (And I can’t quite recall the title, either!) Could you tell me where you got the information to test your child? I’d be interested to affirm (or refute) my hunches about my dc’s learning styles.
Sue M.
Amy, your idea of drawing first and then explaining is a good one. Other things that work very well for visual children: Having a small whiteboard around to write a few things, like names or places–I found one of my sons was having difficulty paying attention because he was struggling to remember the names and dates and places that he was hearing–he was so worried about remembering those that he missed the reading! Also, I’d have that child sitting near me so he can, as his reading skills improve, “peek” and see the page, see any pictures, etc. If you can find an illustration or a picture, that can be a huge help–this is hard for some subjects but could easily work for Bible or history or something. When you read about Moses, have a picture of Moses. Same with George Washington or whatever. It can just really help to “file” that info away.
Amy – Just a caution – but I wouldn’t avoid oral narration all together (not that you even suggested that) simply because your son is a visual learner, certainly do everything you can to help him and encourage him in oral narration, but you want to develop his auditory learning abilities if for no other reason than the rest of his life that’s the MAIN way we recieve new information. I’m thinking specifically when he goes into the job force, whether it’s a boss or clients they will often communicate what they want done orally. It’s also super important for interpersonal relationships. So let him take “notes” while you read – not drawing a full picture but maybe some quick symbols if he’s not writing fluently yet or he can use colors to symbolize feelings that are conveyed while being read to. Keep the readings really short. It might also help to have him narrate videos then he’d be recieving the information visually and have a chance to practice narrating orally.
hth,
Rebekah
Hi Amy,
I think I was asking questions like this along the same lines last year and tagged them under ‘visual spatial.’ What I’ve learned is that CM methods work well for both my ‘visual, kinesthetic’ learner and my ‘auditory’ learner as they are both stretched in different areas but never pushed into the panic zone.
For my ‘visual, kinesthetic,’ the main thing is to allow him to be doing something while he listens. I let him sort rocks, draw, string beads or build things and he then has no problem orally narrating back.
If you want it to be topical though you may want to try having him draw something related to what he is listening to as a way to organize his thoughts or simply look at a map of the area you are reading about.
Sue M. – I’m wondering if the book you had was “The Big What Now Book of Learning Styles” by Carol Barnier. Most books seem to help you identify the learning style. Hers tells how to keep the delight in learning after you’ve identified the style.
All my best,
Richele
Oops, meant to add that if you haven’t seen it yet, SCM’s “Books & Things” Seminar is extremely helpful and full of practical how-to’s.
Richele
Sorry it has taken me so long to reply. I have been on vacation. Thanks for the words of wisdom. Richele I ordered that book this morning. Sue, all I did was google learning styles and a quiz came up. I tried to find the direct link but can’t. But after reading Michelle and Richele’s thoughts on this I don’t want to be so quick to completely cater to his style. So I guess know I will embark on a strategy to help him learn better but to challenge and stretch him in other ways as well. Thanks again for all of your wisdom.
Amy
Amy,
I don’t think parents should “cater to” a learning style difference, but totally ignoring them can often backfire, too. I like to think of learning styles and preferences as bases to start on–then build the other skills from there. I have a highly visual learner, AND an auditory, and a kinesthetic. 🙂 Your child will be able to learn and adapt somewhat in many different ways, but it is important to note that into adulthood, they may find that learning in different modalities is more work–more fatiguing, just plain harder. That doesn’t mean you never do anything in another style, it just means that when time and resources are at a premium, it makes sense to use the most efficient method when possible. So if I were just beginning narration with a child–narration being very hard work–I would initially find the way they are most comfortable, build skills that way, and THEN expand into other ways. It will be less frustrating for your child. I was able to adapt to hearing lectures and talks, although I am a very visual learner, but when I really need information, to this day I prefer to read it. It just is easier and takes less time and effort.
Just some thoughts. Realistically assessing your child and how he learns and then making use of his strengths while making a plan to work on weaknesses, is not catering. It is common sense.
This is an older thread with some great ideas, but I wanted to bump it up and see if anyone had anything to add – especially any of you who have made the effort to work on narration with your non-auditory learner since this thread started and what really helped you. I am thinking about this as I start to prepare for next year as my oldest will be 6 and so we will be starting module 1 and I will start requiring narrations. I suspect that narrating will be difficult for her – while I’ve never tested her for anything, but I can tell just from observing her that she is very strong in visual/spatial skills and not so strong with listening and speaking skills. I feel confident that she can learn how to narrate, but realize that we will probably need to take baby steps to avoid frustration. (She is also a perfectionist, and tends not to want to try if she thinks she can’t do something well.) All that to say that I am trying to gather a ‘toolbox’ of ideas NOW that I can draw on once we actually get started to help make our transition to more formal school go smoothly.
Thanks,
Jen
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