Children learn in very diverse ways. What works well for one child is not always the best way to teach another kid. As a teacher or parent, it is important to understand different learning styles and how to reach each child. There has been an explosion in our knowledge of the ways humans develop and learn, Susan Jindrich writes on the Global Development Research Center website. Using this knowledge can help you determine the best way for your children or students to learn.
One Size Does Not Fit All
One size or style does not fit all and not all children learn the same way, D.H. Sailor explains on the Education.com website. No two kids will learn and process information the same way. Knowing this as a teacher or parent means that you must find and tweak strategies so you reach all of your kids. It does not necessarily mean teaching to the style of every kid, but by diversifying and appreciating the differences in children you are more able to meet their learning needs.
Importance of Early Development
Early education is an important foundation as children move forward in school. According to Jindrich, a child is born eager and ready to learn, with a brain like a computer. Jindrich further explains that early experiences --- from birth to age 10 --- greatly influence development. It is thus important to make sure that children are learning at an early age and reaching the proper benchmarks, or they will be behind down the road.
Learning Styles
Sailor explains that individuals and children usually fall into one of four learning-style groups. Some 35 percent of children are mastery-style learners, who grasp information step by step. Another 35 percent of children are understanding learners, meaning they work with ideas and logic, Sailor notes. Around 18 percent are interpersonal learners, working better with concrete ideas; 12 percent are self-expressive learners, who work better through feelings and seeing pictures. Learning styles that are so diverse mean that people will grasp information better in different ways and channels. Finding ways to teach via different platforms is important to reach all learning styles.
Adapt
Learning to adapt curriculum or material is a key step in making sure all children are learning. The PBS Teachers website notes that you can not only adapt the method of teaching, but the materials, content and testing as well. PBS Teachers points out that adaption is important for students who are ahead as well as those who are behind. This means that curriculum can be changed and balanced to challenge students at accelerated levels as well as those who are behind the rest of the class.
Future
As learning in children continues to be studied, expect more changes in the theories of teaching. Non-traditional, hands-on teaching is becoming popular; computers have come to play classroom roles, and those roles appear likely to grow. PBS Teachers notes that while students are all in the same room, they are not all in the same place. That statement illustrates the new ideas that students are individuals and must be pushed and challenged individually.
