Learn your child's Learning Style

First of all let me state that I did not WRITE this information, so I hope it's OK to post it here.  The author(s) is unknown unless stated throughout the article.  I believe this is a compilation of info from various sources.  It was passed on to me by someone in my homeschool group.   I thought I'd pass it on as some of you have indicated interest in receiving homeschool information. Learning your child's learning style is perhaps one of the most important places to begin.

Renita 

The Most Common Information!
There are 4 basic ways people receive information.
You will want to choose materials based on how your student is best able to receive and process information.
Visual - This type of student receives information best through their eyes and what they see and read. Many times this student will teach themselves to read. They often prefer color illustrations and materials that have charts and graphs inside them.
Auditory - This type of student learns best by hearing things - either on tape or in a discussion.
Kinesthetic - This type of student reminds us of the term "energy in motion". They NEED to make
physical contact with things that they are learning
about. (Ellyn Davis from The Elijah Company says
"Most children are this to about age 8". )
Social - This student learns by interaction with other people. They need one on one attention.
How can you tell which of these your child is?
1. Does your child go around singing all of the time? Humming? Perhaps they are an auditory learner and could use tapes to master new concepts.
2. Does your child need to talk to you about
everything they are studying? Perhaps they're a social learner.
3. Is your child attracted to books with bright pictures? They might be a visual learner.
4. Does your child need to move around a lot? They might be an kinesthetic learner.
The 7 Intelligences
Dr. Thomas Armstrong has written books dealing with the belief that people have certain
"strengths" in one of the 7 areas listed below.
Music, Artistic, Logical/Mathematical, Linguistic/Verbal, Bodily/Kinesthetic (athletes and often actors are
like this) Interpersonal (born diplomats), Interpersonal (introspective - in touch with
their own emotions and the emotions or moods of others)

How do you understand?
Global Learner - need to see the big picture, and doesn't worry a lot about details

Analytical Learner - very detail-oriented and remembers specific facts about things
There are other learning styles which are described in Learning Styles and Tools and Cathy Duffy's Christian Home Educator's Curriculum Manual. They are based on the Myers-Briggs Inventory Test. The four categories are: Thinker, Feeler, Intuitor & Sensor.
The Gregoric model is based on two parts - how we take in information (perception) and how we process the information (ordering). Each of these two parts is split into two qualities.
Perception:
Concrete - You register information mainly through your five senses. You deal with the here and now. "It is what it is." (sometimes called a Left-brained approach)
Abstract - You visualize ideas using your intuition, intellect and imagination – looking beyond the obvious to the more subtle implications. "It is not always as it seems."  (sometimes called a Right-brained approach).Ordering:
Sequential - Follows a logical train of thought -"Follow the steps."
Random - Deals with chunks of information (not necessarily in order) - "Just get it done." When you put the two methods of perceiving information and the two methods of ordering
information together, you wind up with four learning "styles". They are:
Concrete Sequential, Abstract Sequential, Abstract Random, Concrete Random
(The information on this page is taken from the book The Way They Learn by Cynthia Tobias)
Concrete Sequential -
These people like to apply ideas in a practical way and focus on facts. They work well within time limits and produce concrete products from abstract ideas. They like to work systematically
(step by step) and pay close attention to details. Having a schedule to follow makes perfect sense to them - and they want to know what is expected of them. They like established routines and ways of doing things.They don't like working in groups or participating in discussions that have no specific point. They also dislike questions where there is no right or wrong answer.The key questions they ask when learning are:What facts do I need? How do I do it? What should it look like? When is it due?
Abstract Sequential -
Always looking for the underlying principles, these people like to analyze ideas, research, and provide logical sequence. They want to use exact, well-researched information and logical
reasoning and learn more by watching than doing.They dislike not having time to deal with a subject thoroughly, and repeating the same tasks over and over. They also have a hard time being diplomatic. It is hard for them to not monopolize a conversation. They want to know: How do I know this is true?
Have we considered all the possibilities?
Abstract Random -
This person is always looking for personal relevance as they listen sincerely to others and seek to understand feelings and emotions. They recognize the emotional needs of others and seek
to bring harmony to group situations. They try to personalize their learning and focus on broad, general principles. It is important to them to maintain friendly relationships with everyone if possible. They tend to decide with their heart and not their head. It is hard for this type of person to explain or justify their feelings. They often struggle to give exact details or accept even positive criticism. Focusing on one thing at a time is also difficult for them. They tend to ask: What does this have to do with me?
How can I make a difference?
Concrete Random -
This person often thinks fast on their feet as they see many options and solutions to things. They seek out the compelling reason for doing what they do - and often find different ways to
do things. They do well at using insight and instinct to solve problems and do better with general time frames than specific deadlines.
They dislike restrictions and limitations, formal reports, routines, redoing anything once it is done, keeping detailed records, and showing how they got an answer.
They frequently ask:
How much is really necessary?
How Analytic Are You?
Analytic Strengths
details, focus, organization ,remembering specifics, direct answers, consistency, sense of justice, objectivity, doing one thing at a time
What you should know about the analytic style!
likes things ordered in a step-by-step way pays close attention to details
must be prepared, needs to know what to expect, often values facts over feelings
prefers to finish one thing at a time, rarely becomes personally or emotionally, involved, logical , self-motivated, finds the facts but sometimes misses the main , idea
What frustrates an analytic person?
having opinion expressed as fact, not understanding the purpose for doing something, not, understanding how they are graded, listening to an overview without knowing all the, steps involved, dealing with generalities, having to find personal meaning in all that they, learn, not finishing one task before going on to the next
How Global Are You?
Global Strengths
seeing the big picture, seeing relationships,  cooperating in group efforts,  reading between the lines
,   sense of fairness,  paraphrasing,  doing several things at once,  reading body language, getting others involved
What you should know about the global style!
sensitive to other people's feelings,  flexible , goes with the flow, , learns by discussion and working with others, needs reassurance and reinforcement, works hard to please others, takes all criticism personally, avoids individual competition, ,  may skip steps and details

What frustrates a global person?

having to explain themselves analytically, not getting a chance to explain themselves at all, not knowing the meaning for doing something, having to go step-by-step without knowing, where they'll end up
not being able to relate what they are learning, to their own life, not receiving enough credit for their effort, accepting criticism without taking it personally, people who are insensitive to other people's
feelings