7 Useful Strategies To Discover Your Child’s Learning Style

Every child is unique, with their own preferences for how they best absorb and process information. As parents and educators, understanding how to identify child’s learning style can make a tremendous difference in a child’s educational journey. This practical resource explores effective strategies to help you recognise and support your child’s learning style and natural learning preferences.

Learning styles represent the different ways children prefer to receive and process information. Understanding the types of learning styles for children is the first step toward supporting their educational development. The most commonly referenced model is the Visual Auditory Kinesthetic learning test (VAK), which categorises learners into three main types:

1. Visual learners: Those who learn best through seeing information
2. Auditory learners: Those who learn best through hearing information
3. Kinesthetic learners: Those who learn best through physical activities and hands-on experiences

Some expanded models include tactile learning (through touch) as a separate category from kinesthetic, creating what’s known as the VAKT model.

It’s worth noting that current research in education has raised questions about the effectiveness of teaching exclusively to a single learning style. The Education Endowment Foundation in the UK has found limited evidence supporting the idea that matching teaching methods to a specific learning style significantly improves learning outcomes.

Nevertheless, understanding what is my child’s preferred learning style can still be valuable in several ways:

• It helps you recognise your child’s strengths and preferences
• It can guide you in providing varied learning experiences
• It allows for more personalised support when your child faces challenges
• It can boost confidence and reduce frustration during the learning process

With this balanced understanding in mind, let’s explore the strategies that can help you identify and support your child’s learning preferences.

Your Child’s Learning Style: Why It Matters

Understanding the way your child learns best matters because it provides insight into how they naturally process and retain information. When children learn in ways that align with their preferences, they often experience:

• Greater engagement and enthusiasm for learning
• Improved retention of information
• Enhanced confidence in their abilities
• Reduced frustration and resistance to learning activities

While modern educational research suggests that most people benefit from multi-sensory learning rather than strict adherence to a single style, recognising your child’s preferences can help you provide a more supportive learning environment. This awareness allows you to offer diverse learning experiences while playing to your child’s strengths when introducing challenging concepts.

The key is to use this knowledge as a starting point for enrichment rather than as a rigid label that limits your child’s experiences. Let’s examine some practical strategies for identifying these preferences.

Strategy 1: Observation of Natural Behaviours and Preferences

One of the most effective ways to discover your child’s learning style is through careful observation. By paying attention to how your child naturally engages with the world, you can gather valuable clues about their learning style.

What to Look For

Signs of visual learner child include:

• Preference for picture books and illustrated materials
• Strong recall of information presented in charts, diagrams or videos
• Enjoyment of drawing, mapping and visual arts
• Tendency to visualise stories or information in their mind
• Notice of visual details others might miss
• Use of colour-coding or highlighting when studying

These children often say things like “Show me” or “I see what you mean.”

Auditory learning style characteristics children often display include:

• Strong verbal skills and vocabulary
• Preference for being read to or listening to audiobooks
• Ability to follow verbal directions easily
• Enjoyment of music, rhymes and sound patterns
• Tendency to talk through problems out loud
• Preference for discussion over written work

These children might say phrases like “Tell me again” or “That sounds right.”

Kinesthetic learner traits in children typically include:

• Constant movement, even when seated
• Strong coordination and physical skills
• Preference for hands-on activities and experiments
• Difficulty sitting still for extended periods
• Use of physical gestures when explaining things
• Need to touch objects to understand them

These children often say things like “Let me try” or “I can work it out.”

Practical Observation Tips

To effectively observe your child’s natural learning preferences:

1. Create a variety of learning opportunities that incorporate different approaches.
2. Pay attention to when your child seems most engaged and successful.
3. Notice which activities they gravitate toward during free play.
4. Consider how they prefer to share information they’ve learned.
5. Watch for signs of frustration, which might indicate a mismatch with their preferred style.

Remember that observation should occur over time in different contexts, as preferences may vary depending on the subject matter or environment.

Strategy 2: Structured Assessment Through Learning Style Questionnaires

While observation provides valuable insights, a more structured approach can sometimes offer additional clarity. Using a learning style assessment for kids can help identify patterns that might not be immediately obvious through casual observation.

Types of Assessments

There are several types of assessments available:

VAK learning styles questionnaire tools: These focus on visual, auditory and kinesthetic preferences with age-appropriate questions about learning preferences.

Multiple intelligences in children test: Based on Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, these assessments explore a broader range of aptitudes, including linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalistic intelligences.

Child learning style questionnaire free options are available online through educational websites and often involve simple questions about preferences and behaviours.

Administering Assessments

When using learning style assessments with children:

1. Choose age-appropriate tools that use language your child can understand.
2. Explain that there are no right or wrong answers.
3. Administer the assessment when your child is relaxed and receptive.
4. Consider asking the questions conversationally rather than in a formal testing environment.
5. Look for patterns rather than definitive labels.

For younger children who cannot complete written questionnaires, picture-based assessments where they select preferred activities from illustrated options can be effective.

Interpreting Results

Remember that assessments provide a snapshot rather than a definitive categorisation. Use the results as one piece of information in your overall understanding of your child. Many children show a blend of preferences rather than a single dominant style.

Strategy 3: Consultation with Educators and Specialists

Teachers and educational specialists often have valuable insights into how to determine learning style quiz results and interpret them appropriately. Their professional training and experience observing children in learning environments can provide perspectives you might not see at home.

Engaging with Teachers

When consulting with educators:

1. Ask open-ended questions about how your child engages in different types of learning activities.
2. Inquire about when your child seems most focused and successful in class.
3. Discuss any patterns of frustration or difficulty that might relate to learning preferences.
4. Share your own observations and ask for professional feedback.
5. Explore what strategies have proven effective in the classroom setting.

Working with Educational Specialists

For children with learning differences or challenges, educational psychologists and specialists can provide more in-depth assessment and guidance. They can help differentiate between learning style preferences and potential learning disabilities that might require specific interventions.

These professionals can administer standardised assessments and provide recommendations tailored to your child’s specific needs. They can also help you understand how learning style preferences might interact with other aspects of your child’s cognitive development.

Strategy 4: Experimenting with Different Learning Approaches

One of the most practical ways to discover your child’s learning style is through direct experimentation with different teaching methods. This strategy involves introducing various approaches to learning the same material and observing which methods produce the best results.

Multimodal Learning Experiments

To conduct these experiments:

1. Select a new concept or skill appropriate for your child’s age and development.
2. Present the information using primarily visual methods (diagrams, videos, charts).
3. Later, introduce the same concept using primarily auditory methods (explanation, discussion, song).
4. Finally, teach the concept using hands-on activities and movement.
5. Observe which approach leads to the best comprehension, engagement and retention.

This experimental approach aligns with current educational best practices that recognise the value of how to support different learning styles rather than restricting children to a single approach.

Recording and Analysing Results

Keep a simple journal of your experiments, noting:

• The concept being taught
• The methods used
• Your child’s level of engagement
• Their success in understanding and retaining the information
• Any comments or feedback they provided

Look for patterns over time rather than drawing conclusions from a single lesson. You may find that preferences vary depending on the subject matter or complexity of the material.

Strategy 5: Creating a Rich, Multi-Sensory Learning Environment

Research indicates that most children benefit from learning environments that engage multiple senses, regardless of their preferred learning style. Creating a home environment that supports various learning modalities ensures your child has access to resources that match their preferences while developing skills across all learning domains.

Elements of a Multi-Sensory Learning Environment

Best teaching methods for visual learners include:

• A visually organised space with minimal clutter
• Access to quality picture books, diagrams and visual reference materials
• Art supplies for creative expression
• Educational videos and documentaries
• Charts, maps and visual planners

For children with auditory preferences, consider:

• A quiet space for concentrated listening
• Audiobooks and podcasts on topics of interest
• Musical instruments or music appreciation opportunities
• Recording devices for verbal processing
• Regular discussion times and verbal games

For kinesthetic and tactile learners, provide:

• Space for movement and physical activity
• Manipulatives for mathematical and scientific concepts
• Building materials and construction toys
• Opportunities for experiments and hands-on projects
• Tactile learner activities for kids such as sensory bins, clay modelling and texture explorations

Scheduling for Different Learning Styles

Consider how your daily and weekly routines accommodate different learning preferences:

1. Balance quiet, focused activities with opportunities for movement and discussion.
2. Alternate between visual, auditory and hands-on approaches when helping with homework.
3. Provide breaks that align with your child’s needs (movement breaks for kinesthetic learners, quiet reflection for visual learners).
4. Schedule more challenging academic work during times when your child is most receptive to their less-preferred learning modalities.

This balanced approach supports your child’s preferences while developing versatility across different learning contexts.

Your Child’s Learning Preferences: Practical Applications for Home Learning

Once you’ve gained insights into your child’s learning style, you can apply this knowledge to support their education at home. This doesn’t mean restricting your child to a single approach, but rather understanding “how can I help my child learn?” and using their preferences as a starting point for engagement before expanding to include other modalities.

Supporting Visual Learners

To support primarily visual learners:

• Use diagrams, charts and pictures to explain complex concepts
• Encourage note-taking with visual elements like mind maps and colour-coding
• Provide visual schedules and checklists
• Use flashcards with images for memorisation tasks
• Demonstrate processes before asking your child to try them

After engaging through visual means, gradually incorporate auditory and kinesthetic elements to develop well-rounded learning skills.

Supporting Auditory Learners

For children with strong auditory preferences:

• Explain concepts verbally before providing written instructions
• Use discussion, debate and verbal questions to explore topics
• Encourage your child to explain concepts in their own words
• Incorporate music, rhymes and mnemonics for memorisation
• Read aloud together, even when your child can read independently

While leveraging these strengths, gradually introduce visual aids and hands-on activities to build skills in other learning modalities.

How to help auditory learning child develop other skills:

• Pair verbal explanations with simple visuals
• Encourage drawing or diagramming what they’ve heard
• Introduce movement gradually, perhaps through acting out stories or concepts
• Use audiobooks that come with illustrated companions
• Teach note-taking strategies that connect auditory input with visual recording

Supporting Kinesthetic Learners

To support children with kinesthetic and tactile preferences:

• Incorporate movement into learning activities whenever possible
• Use manipulatives for mathematical concepts
• Take frequent short breaks for physical activity during study sessions
• Create hands-on experiments and demonstrations
• Allow fidget tools that don’t distract from learning

While honouring these movement needs, gradually build skills in focused visual and auditory learning through brief, engaging activities that gradually increase in duration.

Supporting kinesthetic learners at home with additional strategies:

• Create movement pathways for practising facts or vocabulary
• Use body positions to represent concepts (e.g., arms forming letter shapes)
• Incorporate real-world applications that involve building or creating
• Consider standing or ball chairs for homework time
• Break learning tasks into smaller segments with movement breaks

Strategy 6: Ongoing Monitoring and Adaptation

Learning preferences are not fixed traits but evolve as children develop. What works at age five may need adjustment by age eight. Implementing a system of ongoing monitoring allows you to adapt your approach as your child grows and encounters new learning challenges.

Regular Learning Check-ins

Schedule regular times to reflect on your child’s learning with these questions:

• Which recent learning experiences seemed most successful?
• Have there been changes in your child’s preferences or interests?
• Are certain subjects or topics presenting new challenges?
• How might learning approaches need to be adjusted for current developmental needs?

These check-ins can be informal conversations with your child or more structured reflections that you record to track changes over time.

Collaborative Adaptation

Involve your child in the process of adaptation:

1. Share observations about what seems to be working well
2. Ask for their input on how they prefer to learn new material
3. Offer choices between different learning approaches
4. Discuss challenges openly and problem-solve together
5. Celebrate growth in areas that were previously difficult

This collaborative approach helps children develop metacognitive awareness – the ability to understand their own learning processes – which is a valuable skill for lifelong learning.

Strategy 7: Balancing Preferences with Educational Research

While understanding individual preferences is valuable, it’s equally important to align home learning practices with evidence-based educational approaches. Current learning styles in education research suggests that while children may have preferences, they benefit most from balanced, multi-sensory instruction rather than strictly matched teaching methods.

Integrating Current Research

To balance preferences with research findings:

1. Use preferred learning modalities as an entry point to engage your child
2. Gradually incorporate other approaches to develop well-rounded learning skills
3. Avoid rigid labelling that might limit your child’s self-perception
4. Focus on building learning strategies rather than fixed learning styles
5. Stay informed about current educational research and best practices

The Value of a Learning style test for primary school Age Children

While formal testing has limitations, age-appropriate assessments can:

• Provide a starting point for understanding preferences
• Help children develop self-awareness about their learning
• Guide initial approaches while remaining flexible
• Identify potential areas where additional support might be needed

The key is using assessment as a tool for exploration rather than a definitive categorisation.

Your Child’s Learning Style: Moving Beyond Labels

As we conclude our exploration of learning styles, it’s important to emphasise that the greatest value comes not from labelling children but from understanding them as whole, complex learners. The goal of identifying preferences and figuring out “how does my child learn best?” is to provide responsive support that helps children thrive academically while developing versatility across all learning modalities.

The Bigger Picture

Remember these key points:

• Most children benefit from multi-sensory learning experiences
• Preferences may vary by subject, context and development stage
• The goal is to support strengths while developing all learning channels
• Understanding preferences should expand opportunities, not limit them
• Learning approaches should evolve as your child grows

By implementing the seven strategies outlined in this guide, you’ll gain valuable insights into how to teach to different learning styles while maintaining a balanced, research-informed approach to supporting your child’s education.

The journey of discovering your child’s learning preferences is ongoing and evolving. By remaining observant, flexible and responsive, you can help your child and your family develop not only academic knowledge but also a deep understanding of how they learn best – a gift that will serve them throughout their educational journey and beyond.