Tutoring to Benefit Different Learning Styles

Every child has a different learning style (or styles) that best suit them. For example, some children might thrive in a classroom environment with a teacher and peers, while others may benefit from 1-1 time with a specialised tutor or solitary learning through online and interactive platforms.

Understanding some of the different learning styles can help teachers support learning in a classroom environment but also allows us as parents and tutors to adapt to the different learning styles that best suit our child. In doing so, parents, teachers and tutors alike can help a child thrive in their education and support a child’s ability to receive and retain key information, which is a critical skill both for homework assignments and exam revision.

What are the different learning styles?

While every child will have their own unique approach to the different learning styles, the 7 below are some of the most commonly acknowledged:

• Social learning
• Solitary learning
• Visual and spatial learning
• Auditory learning
• Kinaesthetic learning
• Verbal learning
• Learning through reading and writing

Some studies suggest a focus on one individual learning style doesn’t guarantee children will retain information better than they might otherwise. However, understanding the different learning styles can help identify practices and techniques that different children will find most useful and engaging.

As parents and tutors, having this deeper understanding of the varying approaches can help us adapt our own behaviours and teaching methods to best support children during their education.

In most circumstances children will learn from a variety of different methods so utilising a variety of the different learning styles can be hugely beneficial.

Breaking down the different learning styles

Social Learning

Social learners are sometimes referred to as ‘interpersonal learners’. As the name might suggest, these children thrive in a social environment when they can interact with peers or a group.

Catering to this learning style: Group study sessions or activities like team quizzes and interactive games can be beneficial for social learners.

Solitary Learning

In contrast to our social group, solitary (or ‘intrapersonal learners’)  are able to study best on their own.

Catering to this learning style: Solitary learners may choose to simply refer back to notes and textbooks or read aloud to themselves but typically our solitary learners prefer to work in a quiet and controlled environment.

Visual or spatial learning

Spatial learners find visual cues and imagery the easiest way to retain information but can sometimes take a little extra time to digest the information before them.

Catering to this learning style: Encouraging children to utilise techniques like flash cards, mind-mapping, drawing to support notes, colour-coding and list-making can all support study and tuition if your child or children have a preference for visual learning.

Reading & Writing

Those who learn best by reading and writing often benefit from putting pen to paper or reading through textbooks, literature and journals in their own time. They are likely to be very good at self-directed learning and will not hesitate to investigate topics on their own, looking into word meanings or doing a deeper dive into something of interest in the library or online.

Reading and writing takes time so be patient with children who learn this way as they need opportunities to collate their thoughts and key takeaways to ensure they have effective notes to support homework and revision.

Catering to this learning style: This particular learning style is perhaps the one most parents are familiar with and what we expect all children to fall into. This comes as no surprise as most education systems are grounded in reading and writing practices but it’s important to remember that this learning style won’t suit every child.

Auditory / Aural learning

Aural or auditory learners find it easier to absorb information simply by listening rather than taking copious amounts of written notes or using visual cues. Children that prefer this learning style may be inclined to read aloud or even speak aloud to reiterate the key information and reinforce what they’ve learnt.

Catering to this learning style: In addition to reading aloud, aural learners may benefit from listening to things like audiobooks, music or podcasts when it comes to studying and revising. Equally, a fantastic and low pressure way to gauge a child’s level of understanding can be to start an open discussion on the topic of interest as aural learners tend to be confident speaking up and it provides another auditory opportunity to recap on key information.

Verbal learning

In a similar vein to aural learners, verbal or linguistic learners are often very receptive to spoken words. As such, they also find engaging in a dialogue during lessons or speaking aloud in their own time beneficial for learning.

Catering to this learning style: Where verbal learners differ from aural learners is that they also find written text, lists and the use of acronyms and rhymes easier to retain.

Kinaesthetic learning

Kinaesthetic learners like to be very hands on with their approach and often learn best by physically doing or experiencing things first-hand.

Catering to this learning style: This type of child may naturally have a narrower attention span, meaning they might struggle to stay put for long periods and need to take more frequent breaks than other students.

Kinaesthetic learners often find energetic, interactive and tactile environments positively impact their learning. For example, encouraging a kinaesthetic learner to do a bit of role-play and act out a scene from an English Literature text or a notable event in history can help them visualise concepts that may otherwise seem abstract.

Movement-based games that encourage a child to write or verbalise what they’re studying. Play can also be an effective way to help kinaesthetic learners retain information.

Specialist Tutors To Support Different Learning Styles

At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors we know every child is different and that each will have a unique learning style that allows them to best digest information and thrive both in classrooms and during their exams. Supported by our in-house training and resources, our experienced and specialist tutors are passionately dedicated to supporting children’s learning.

Our tutors will identify the learning styles that best suit your child’s individual needs and devise a tailor-made programme of tuition to help restore your child’s confidence and boost their intellectual curiosity and academic growth whether they are preparing for their 7+ exam, struggling with GCSE Maths, applying to Oxbridge or learning the piano.

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Useful resources

• Games and activities for kinaesthetic learners here