Have you ever seen your child try really hard in school and still struggle to understand something? Maybe they sit with their homework for hours, but it just doesn’t “click.” You know they’re smart. So why does learning feel so hard?
The truth is, many kids face this challenge. And often, it’s not about how hard they try, but how they’re learning. Some children do better with pictures, others remember things they hear, and some need to move around and use their hands.
That’s where understanding your child’s learning style can make all the difference. When you know how your child learns best, you can adjust the way they study or take in new information. It can turn frustration into success, and help your child feel more confident, capable, and excited to learn.
What Are Learning Styles?
A learning style is simply the way a person prefers to take in and understand information. Some kids remember what they see, some remember what they hear, and some need to move or do something to really get it.
Learning styles are especially important during childhood, when kids are building confidence and learning how they learn best.
There are four common learning styles:
- Visual: Learns best through pictures, colors, diagrams, and other visual tools that help them see the information clearly.
- Auditory: Understands most effectively through listening and speaking, benefiting from discussions, verbal instructions, or music.
- Kinesthetic: Needs to move and physically interact with materials, thriving through hands-on activities and movement.
- Reading/Writing: Prefers information presented in written words, enjoying reading, note-taking, list-making, and working with text.
To learn more about this, check out this resource that covers detailed information about the VARK Modalities.
Why Child’s Learning Style Matter
Understanding your child’s learning style isn’t just about helping them pass a test, it’s about helping them enjoy the process of learning and feel confident in their abilities. When you tailor learning experiences to fit your child’s natural preferences, the results can be powerful.
Here are just a few ways it can make a difference:
- Better Focus and Academic Success: When a child learns in a way that makes sense to them, schoolwork feels easier and more engaging. They’re more likely to stay focused, retain information, and feel proud of what they’ve learned.
- Less Stress and Frustration: Many kids struggle not because they lack ability, but because the material isn’t presented in a way that “clicks” for them. Matching your teaching methods to your child’s learning style can reduce confusion and make learning feel more enjoyable.
- Stronger Parent-Child Communication: When you understand how your child learns best, it becomes easier to support and encourage them. You’ll also find it easier to explain concepts in ways that truly resonate with them, which builds trust and strengthens your relationship.
- Emotional Confidence and Joy: Learning isn’t just about academics, it’s deeply tied to how kids feel about themselves. When children experience success in learning, their confidence grows. They feel more capable, less anxious, and more willing to take on challenges.
You can also go through this Gale review to learn more about the importance of knowing the learning styles.
The Four Main Child’s Learning Styles
Every child is unique, and so is the way they learn. While most kids use a combination of styles, they often have a dominant preference. Understanding these can help you adjust how you teach or support them at home. Let’s take a closer look at the four main child’s learning styles:
Visual Learners
Visual learners understand best when they can see the concept. They benefit from pictures, charts, colors, and spatial relationships.
Signs You Might See:
- Doodles in margins
- Likes puzzles and building sets
- Remembers faces and places easily
- Strong visual memory
Study Tips:
- Use mind maps and diagrams
- Color-code notes
- Watch educational videos
- Draw pictures to represent abstract ideas
Example: If your child is studying the water cycle, let them draw each step, evaporation, condensation, precipitation using arrows, colors, and labeled visuals.
Auditory Learners
These learners absorb information best when they hear it. They often enjoy discussions, lectures, and verbal instructions.
Signs You Might See:
- Remembers songs or verbal instructions
- Talks to themselves while solving problems
- Enjoys storytelling, poetry, or debates
Study Tips:
- Read notes aloud
- Use songs or rhymes to memorize facts
- Listen to audiobooks or lectures
- Study with a partner and discuss material
Example: While learning spelling words, your child might remember them better by making up a catchy chant or singing them aloud.
Kinesthetic Learners
These learners need to move and touch to process information. They benefit from hands-on activities and physical interaction.
Signs You Might See:
- Fidgety or squirmy
- Builds, acts out, or imitates
- Enjoys sports or dance
- Struggles to sit still for long periods of time
Study Tips:
- Use manipulatives (counters, blocks)
- Incorporate movement into lessons
- Act out stories or concepts
- Take frequent movement breaks
Example: When learning about the solar system, let them model the planets with balls or act out the orbit of Earth around the sun using their own body. If your child thrives with this type of active learning, explore our Common Sense Science curriculum. It’s designed specifically for kinesthetic learners, using manipulatives and hands-on experiments to bring scientific concepts to life.
Reading/Writing Learners
These children prefer information presented in words. They like reading instructions, making lists, and writing down what they learn.
Signs You Might See:
- Loves books and journaling
- Writes to understand or express
- Organizes with lists and bullet points
- Enjoys independent research
Study Tips:
- Re-write class notes
- Use textbooks and workbooks
- Keep a study journal
- Make detailed lists or outlines
Example: If your child is learning about animals, encourage them to write a short report or create a fact sheet on their favorite animal using headings and bullet points. You can also nurture their writing interest through activities like journaling or story-building. You can also check out our blog on creative writing prompts for kids to help jumpstart creative ideas.
How to Identify Your Child’s Learning Style
Recognizing how your child learns best doesn’t require a psychology degree, just a little bit of mindful observation, conversation, and experimentation. Many parents discover learning styles naturally by paying close attention to how their children play, communicate, and tackle everyday tasks:
Observation
Pay attention during play, study, and even free time.
- Do they draw or build?
- Do they hum while working?
- Do they ask to “do it themselves”?
Ask Questions
Try these prompts:
- “What’s your favorite subject, and why?”
- “How do you remember things best?”
- “Do you like to read instructions or have someone explain it to you?”
Try Different Activities
Experiment with:
- Visual tools (charts, diagrams)
- Audio tools (songs, read-alouds)
- Physical tools (building, acting)
- Reading/writing (journaling, copying notes)
Use Learning Style Assessments
There are many online tools like VARK for Kids or learning style quizzes. Just remember, the results are a guide, not a rulebook. Your child is more than a category. For fun and practical ways to support their learning style, explore our blog on how to make learning fun for kids.
Tailoring Learning to Fit Their Style at Home
Once you’ve identified how your child learns best, even small adjustments can make a big difference. Here’s how to support their learning style at home.
- Visual learners: Set up colorful charts and bright study areas.
- Auditory learners: Let them wear headphones with audiobooks.
- Kinesthetic learners: Use hands-on games or allow them to pace while memorizing.
- Reading/writing learners: Invest in notebooks, highlighters, and sticky notes. If you want your kid to learn the habit of reading, our short story reading guide by Beatrix Potter is perfect for you.
It’s important to align your style with your child’s learning style but it needs to be balanced. Teaching in a way that completely exhausts you isn’t sustainable. When a parent feels overwhelmed, meaningful learning is hard to achieve. Adjust your approach to support how your child learns best, but remember to protect your own energy and well-being along the way.
If you want to create a learning corner at home for kids, our blog covers detailed tips and best practices.
What If My Child Doesn’t Fit a Single Learning Style?
Many kids are multimodal, using two or more learning styles depending on the subject or setting. That’s not a problem, it’s a gift!
Encourage your child to explore and adapt. Teach them to use multiple paths to remember things. Like my vocal professor once told me: if you learn it in three ways, hear it, write it, and do it, you’re more likely to recall it under pressure.
The Long-Term Impact of Personalized Learning
When kids are taught in a way that makes sense to them, they feel heard. Understood. Capable. That emotional foundation carries into every part of life.
They become independent learners who aren’t afraid of new challenges. They feel smart, not because someone told them they are, but because they’ve experienced success for themselves. Isn’t that what we all want for our kids?
Conclusion
If your child is struggling, or if you’re feeling burned out, take a step back. Observe. Experiment. Discover how your child learns best, and how you teach best. This week, try one activity from a different learning style. Draw a math problem, sing the spelling list, or build a history timeline out of LEGOs. You may just unlock the joy of learning, for both of you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How would you describe your child's learning style?
To describe your child’s learning style, think about how they naturally absorb and process information. Do they seem to understand things best when they see pictures (visual), hear explanations (auditory), read or write about the topic (reading/writing), or physically interact with the material (kinesthetic)? Pay attention to what excites them during learning, what frustrates them, and how they explain things back to you.
What are the four main learning styles?
The four main learning styles are based on the VARK model:
- Visual: Learns best through images, diagrams, and spatial understanding.
- Auditory: Learns best by listening and speaking. Enjoys discussions, songs, and verbal repetition.
- Reading/Writing: Prefers written words. Learn well through reading, note-taking, lists, and writing.
- Kinesthetic: Kids need hands-on activities, movement, and real-life application to learn.
Most children use a mix, but they usually have one dominant style that helps them absorb and retain information more effectively.
How do you describe a child's learning style?
Describing a child’s learning style involves observing their behavior and preferences during learning activities. Look for:
- What catches their interest?
- How do they solve problems?
- What frustrates or confuses them?
You can then describe their learning style based on how they respond to different types of input.
How to identify learning styles in students?
Identifying a student’s learning style takes a mix of observation, experimentation, and open-ended questions. Here’s how you can do it:
- Observe their habits: Notice how they engage with material. Do they draw, talk, write, or move around?
- Try varied activities: Present the same concept in different ways (e.g., read it, show it visually, act it out) and see what clicks.
- Ask them questions: “How do you like to learn?” or “What helps you remember things?”
- Use a learning style quiz: Tools like VARK for Kids can offer helpful insights, though they should support, not replace your observations.
Keep in mind that styles can change over time and often blend together. The goal isn’t to box your child in, it’s to help them thrive by honoring the ways they naturally learn best.
