I always receive many notes and comments from those who are just in the process
of either just getting started in homeschooling their kids or at least seriously
considering it. One of the most important aspects of educating children (and this case... your own
children) is gaining an understanding of how each child learns and what their
personal learning style really is.
Pat Wyman's website
How To Learn is an excellent resource and a good starting point for
you to begin to understand what personal learning styles are. Once there you can
take a quick
learning style checklist that will stimulate your thinking. I would
encourage you to stop by Pat's site. From a teaching/teacher perspective it can be easy to get frustrated by not
getting the results you would like to from your child. You think you are doing a
good job of explaining, communicating, and teaching your child but it just
doesn't seem to be getting along so well. And sometimes this teaching trap can
be set by the fact that your previous child did just great with these wonderful
teaching techniques you previously employed. What can possibly be wrong? Is it
time to get professional help or some other type of evaluation done? Maybe not
just yet.
You see it's important to understand what type of learner your child is. How do
they prefer to learn? Are they visual learners? Are they more observant when
they learn, or are they more active and jump right in? Are they more audio type
of learners? If you are just starting out with your kids, take the time to observe just how
they learn. This definitely includes during their play times. During early
childhood children are so naturally curious with the wonderment of the entire
world around them, you can really gain an understanding of how your child learns
best and what learning style they are most comfortable with. Take notes, lots of
them. Don't get yourself locking into a teaching style that is most comfortable
with you. It's not about your comfort level. It's about your child's success.
Try different approaches, but always journal and take notes about what is
working and what is not for each child. They are different you know!
Be sure to visit Pat's website
How To Learn as an excellent resource on this valuable teaching tool.
Now that have planted this learning style seed in you, when you are with your
kids and before you begin your quest in teaching them, take the time to gain an
understanding of just how the learn and perceive. It is extremely important for
your success in teaching and homeschooling them.
Believe me; if you have already well started teaching your children and think
your results could be better, or the learning path more efficient, or you are
just beginning to consider teaching your preschool or toddler aged kids, take a
step back and understand just how they learn and what their personal learning
style is. You'll be glad you did!
