Quiz
1. Does using color help your child retain information?
2. Does your child tend to respond to visual representations of information?
3. Does your child "visualize" concepts to aid in memory retention?
4. Does your child enjoy and excel at using books on tape?
5. Is your child a talker who seems to have a verbal ability that surpasses her age or peers?
6. Does your child "talk out" ideas much more effectively than "writing out" ideas?
7. When your child studies, does she read out loud to herself or mouth the words?
8. Does your child retain information if she manipulates it physically or has it put into practice?
9. Does your child fidget or display the need to move around when studying?
10. Does your child excel in hands on learning, like science projects or building racecars at home?
1. Does using color help your child retain information?
Sometimes.
2. Does your child tend to respond to visual representations of information?
Sometimes.
3. Does your child "visualize" concepts to aid in memory retention?
Sometimes.
4. Does your child enjoy and excel at using books on tape?
Sometimes.
5. Is your child a talker who seems to have a verbal ability that surpasses her age or peers?
Sometimes.
6. Does your child "talk out" ideas much more effectively than "writing out" ideas?
Sometimes.
7. When your child studies, does she read out loud to herself or mouth the words?
Sometimes.
8. Does your child retain information if she manipulates it physically or has it put into practice?
Sometimes.
9. Does your child fidget or display the need to move around when studying?
Sometimes.
10. Does your child excel in hands on learning, like science projects or building racecars at home?
Sometimes.
The Alternative Learner
Your child is a very dynamic thinker! However, the traditional read-and-review study method may not be the best choice for him. Encourage your child to develop a reviewing method that integrates traditional alternative learning skills: spatial and visual thinking skills, auditory processing, and tactile/kinesthetic learning.
For the visual thinker, the concept map reviewing structure is a good method to try. He should also use color in his study notes to identify different ideas and important information. Lastly, encourage your child to integrate visualization into his study habits. For example, when memorizing terms, have him come up with a visual cue for each term and its definition.
Your child may also need to hear and talk about the information she is reviewing if re-reading isn't enough. The key is that auditory learners need to "talk it out" in order to move information from their short-term memory into their long-term memory. Encourage your auditory learner to talk out loud as she studies. Get her a tape recorder so that she can speak out and record the information she is studying while she also writes it down. Whenever possible, read to her or get her books on tape.
Your child may need to manipulate and work with information in a physical way to truly understand concepts and ideas. Many tactile/kinesthetic learners need to move around, pace, or fidget while they study. A simple way to start is to buy your child a clipboard and let her pace around while she reviews. When it comes to choosing a review method, focus on one that has a tactical element to it, like flash cards, or paste tactical surfaces like tape or sandpaper on an outline. Lastly, when studying for a class like math or science, have your child work backwards by starting with the problems and then figuring out what the problems are testing.
The Traditional Learner
You're in luck! For the most part, the traditional study methods work well for your child. Now that you know this, you can empower your child to take his linear methods even further.
Try the Roman numeral method and the thematic review sheet -- these structures make the most of your child's strong ability to organize information in a concrete manner.
The All-of-the-Above Learner
The title says it all -- your child is a learner who has a mix of learning styles. Most kids fall into this category. Encourage your child to integrate many kinds of reviewing methods into her studies.
Try out some of these review structures, and pay close attention to the sections entitled "other comments."