Every child learns in their own unique way. Some may love hands-on activities, while others prefer reading or listening. Understanding your child’s learning style can help you support them more effectively at home and help them thrive at school. Here’s how to identify their preferred way of learning — and why it matters, inspired by the teachings of this private nursery in Surrey.
What Are the Different Learning Styles?
While there are many theories around learning preferences, a widely recognised model is VARK, which breaks styles down into four main types:
- Visual: Learns best through seeing – diagrams, charts, videos, and written instructions.
- Auditory: Learns best by listening – through spoken instructions, songs, discussions, or audiobooks.
- Reading/Writing: Learns best by reading and writing – using lists, notes, and written explanations.
- Kinaesthetic: Learns best through doing – hands-on activities, movement, role play, or real-life examples.
Many children are a mix of these styles, but most have one or two dominant preferences.
Observing How Your Child Engages
Start by paying close attention to how your child interacts with the world around them. Ask yourself:
- Do they remember what they see or what they hear?
- Do they enjoy reading and writing, or do they struggle with it?
- Are they constantly on the move or fidgeting while learning?
- Do they love drawing pictures or building things with their hands?
For example, if your child often draws pictures to explain ideas or prefers watching videos to reading instructions, they might be a visual learner. If they sing songs to remember facts or repeat things out loud, they may be more auditory.
Trying Different Approaches
Another way to understand your child’s learning style is to experiment with various activities. Introduce the same topic in a few different ways and observe what helps them retain information or stay focused. For instance:
- Read a short story and discuss it aloud (auditory).
- Watch a video summarising the story (visual).
- Have them write a summary or answer questions in writing (reading/writing).
- Act out the story together or create a craft based on it (kinaesthetic).
Their reaction and retention will reveal a lot about what works best.
Why It’s Helpful to Know
Knowing your child’s learning style isn’t about putting them in a box – it’s about helping them feel more confident. It allows you to adapt how you help with homework, communicate more effectively, and offer support that aligns with how they naturally take in information. It also gives you useful insights to share with their teachers, so learning at school can be tailored too.
Be Flexible – Learning Styles Can Change
It’s important to note that children’s learning styles can evolve over time. Younger children may start out kinaesthetic but develop stronger visual or auditory preferences as they grow. The key is to stay curious, observant, and open to trying new things.
Identifying your child’s learning style is a valuable tool, not a strict rulebook. By recognising how they learn best, you’re giving them the confidence to tackle challenges in a way that feels natural — and setting them up for long-term success.