by Laura Kriegel

As the mother of a toddler—a rapidly developing, inquisitive little sponge who soaks up everything he hears and sees—I've lately been wondering just how he learns. Is it by watching, listening, or by engaging in an activity? Or is it a combination? And as the discussion of preschool looms on the horizon, determining how he learns and what motivates him will help my husband and me learn how he can best be nurtured.

All children are different, which means they each learn in their own individual and unique way. By identifying and understanding learning styles, parents and teachers can help children learn to the best of their abilities and address what could possibly stand in the way of learning.

There are lots of charts, checklists, and Internet questionnaires that can help parents determine the general idea of how their child learns. And though the resources-including a variety of books-are vast, most are based on the theory that there are three ways a person learns:
Visual-V (sight), Kinesthetic-K (body, sensation, motion); and Auditory-A (sound).

One of the many insights into how children learn is by author, educator, and trainer Dawna Markova, Ph.D. Dr. Markova states that visual, kinesthetic, and auditory learning can be combined and connected to states of consciousness to determine one of six learning styles:

Show and Tellers (V-A-K) are natural persuaders who learn best through reading and light up when telling stories. They are good students who may shy away from sports.

Seer/Feelers (V-K-A) are empathetic children who learn best by doing what they are shown and asking endless questions. They generally prefer working in groups.

Leaders of the Pack (A-K-V) are natural powerhouses who learn by teaching others. Though they have extensive speaking vocabularies, they tend to have difficulty learning to read and write.

Verbal Gymnasts (A-V-K) are effective and articulate communicators whose words pour out in logical order. They love facts, history, and ideas of all kinds. They have to talk to understand and sports may be difficult.

Wandering Wonderers (K-V-A) are quiet Einsteins who learns best in solitude. They can learn physical tasks easily without verbal instruction and can become overwhelmed by listening.

Movers and Groovers (K-A-V) are athletes who need to be allowed to use their bodies in order to learn and are often labeled hyperactive. Reading and writing may be difficult for these individuals.

Studies show that learning styles are usually in place and established by age seven and typically don't change. And on the flip side, trying to determine the learning style of a two-year-old would be a challenge. Making a determination of a learning style is easier as a child ages and nears the preschool years.

So watch, observe, and maybe even take an Internet questionnaire to determine how your child learns. Not only will it help you work in conjunction with teachers, most experts agree it will also help at home by offering insight into learning and communication.

NOTE: Edmond, Oklahoma author Cheri Fuller has written several books on learning styles and children. Find out more at her website.

Laura Kriegel works at the Oklahoma City Conventions and Visitors Bureau. She and her husband Rich live in Oklahoma City and are the parents of Max.