Multiple Intelligences

Different Ways of Learning

Judith C. Reiff

Children's ways of learning are as different as the colors of the rainbow. All people have different personalities, preferences and tastes. Teachers and parents need to be aware of and value these differences. Through observation, parents can learn what kind of learners their children are. Once parents know what kind of learner their child is, they can then develop activities that make the most of their child's abilities.

Verbal Learners

• Have a sensitivity to the meaning, sounds and rhythms of words
• Enjoy storytelling and creative writing
• Love reading, poetry, humor and find pleasure in working puzzles and solving riddles

Suggestions for Parents

• Read with your child
• Listen intently to your child's questions, concerns and experiences
• Provide books for your child to read and paper for writing
• Encourage your child to tell you about the story he/she read or to share with you something he/she has written (a tape recorder is a helpful aid)
• Provide opportunities to visit the public library and local bookstores
• Play games such as Scrabble, Yahtzee and Boggle

Logical Learners

• Enjoy number games, problem solving, pattern games and experimenting
• Have strong reasoning skills and ask questions in a logical manner
• Like order and step-by-step directions

Suggestions for Parents

• Let your child experiment
• Invite your child to help you bake a cake or make new colors by mixing paints
• Show your child how to use a calculator
• Ask your child to help set the table, sort clothes or organize the desk drawer
• Play games such as UNO, checkers and chess

Visual Learners

• Enjoy creating visual patterns and need visual stimulation
• Are daydreamers
• Have a talent for art

Suggestions for Parents

• Allow your child to create with various arts and crafts
• Give your child opportunities for solving puzzles or inventing
• Let your child design a "play corner" in his/her room
• Visit art museums
• Let your child use a camera to take pictures of family and friends
• Provide a variety of art mediums such as paints, crayons and magic markers for your child to use
• Play games such as Pictionary or cards

Musical Learners

• Enjoy playing instruments, singing songs, drumming
• Like the sounds of the human voice, environmental sounds and instrumental sounds
• Learn easier if things are set to music or to a beat

Suggestions for Parents

• Allow your child to select a recording at the local music store
• Encourage your child to sing along or clap to the rhythm of music
• If possible, involve your child in some type of music lessons
• Provide opportunities to attend concerts and musicals
• Have sing-alongs

Physical Learners

• Are athletic and active
• Enjoy creative dramatics, role-playing, dancing and expressing themselves with movement and bodily actions
• Learn through physical movement and from touching and feeling
• Use movement, gestures and physical expression to learn and solve problems
• May touch while talking

Suggestions for Parents

• Involve your child in dancing, acting or sport activities
• Provide a variety of manipulatives for experimentation
• Walk, jog, hike, play tennis, bowl or bike as a family
• Play games such as charades

Extrovert Learners

• Are very social
• Can "read" the feelings and behaviors of others
• Are excellent leaders and enjoy being part of a group
• Can help peers and work cooperatively with others

Suggestions for Parents

• Play family games
• Encourage your child to participate in group activities
• Encourage discussions and problem solving

Introvert Learners

• Like to work independently
• Are very self-motivated and prefer solitary activities
• March to a different drummer
• Have the ability to understand their own feelings, motivations and moods

Suggestions for Parents

• Give your child time to work or play alone
• Ask your child to make something for the whole family to enjoy
• Encourage your child to keep a diary or journal

You can provide a great deal of insight into how your child learns. Educators strive to provide a learning environment where every child experiences success.