Unlocking Potential: Learning Styles and Your Middle Schooler 

Do you remember the lessons from school that stayed with you over time? Did you have a favorite way of learning material and/or studying? Students all learn in different ways. Your learning style influences the way you understand material. Helping your student recognize their preference increases their ability to be successful both in the classroom and at home with academics 

3 Learning Styles – Kinesthetic, Visual, and Auditory  

What are the characteristics of each learning style? 

Kinesthetic:  

As a kinesthetic learner, your student naturally: 

• Enjoys learning by physically experiencing the material through touch and manipulation 

• Engages learning through all 5 senses 

• Remembers through action 

Visual:

As a visual learner, your student naturally: 

• Must see what they are about to learn to grasp the concept 

• Learns better by reading than by listening 

• Absorbs information through visuals 

Auditory:

As an auditory learner, your student naturally: 

• Processes information through sound 

• Learns best through teacher-led instruction or discussions 

• Remembers material through hearing rather than reading 

Curious which one your child is? Test your child using the Learning Style Questionnaire.  

Making Learning Styles Work for Your Child 

Now that you understand your child’s learning style, you can help them choose strategies and study skills that work for them. When it comes to schoolwork, it’s less about what your child wants to do and more about what they need to do to learn effectively. Focusing on their specific needs will set them up for success. 

General Strategies for Each Learning Style 

Kinesthetic:  

• Frequent breaks 

• Body movement  

• Work in a standing position 

Visual:  

• Remove distractions 

• Picture things you hear to create a visual for memorizing 

• Seat near teacher/front of classroom 

Auditory:  

• Participate in class discussions 

• Discuss ideas verbally and read text out loud 

• Play music 

Study Tips for Different Learning Styles 

Kinesthetic:  

• Use physical movement, play acting, and/or modeling to prepare for tests 

• Chew gum while studying 

• Use bright colors to highlight reading material  

Visual:  

• Illustrate material 

• Use organizational materials such as sticky notes, to-do lists, and other forms of reminders, as well as organizational aids like webs and charts 

• Organize workspace to avoid verbal or visual distractions 

Auditory:  

• Study with a friend 

• Summarize material in sections out loud 

• Create “jingles” or mnemonics to memorize material

Strengths, Growth, and Smarter Choices 

Knowing your child’s learning style should not limit the use of other strategies from other styles. Exploring techniques from all learning styles can help them build effective habits. When students understand how they learn best, they can recognize both their strengths and areas for growth, helping them to make smarter choices with their schoolwork and study time.