Your Child's Best Learning Style

Observe and Highlight Your Child’s Learning Style -- Plus Enter to Win a Book on Learning Styles

As you prepare for your homeschool year, remember to observe your child’s best learning style. The style that works for one child won’t necessarily work for another. When children process information in the way that works best for them, they’ll soar! And your homeschool adventures will be more successful and more enjoyable! For 9 months of Weekly Lessons for Grades K-12 in all subject areas, see our Home page at EverythingHomeschooling.com.

Three Common Learning Styles

1. Visual learners. These children prefer to spend time poring over pictures and graphics, and respond to bright colors and visual stimulation. They tend to learn best through visual presentations.

2. Auditory learners. These children enjoy listening to music, CDs, or audio tapes, and to people reading aloud or talking. They can learn best through discussions and verbal information.

3. Tactile-kinesthetic learners. These children like to move around, touch things, and talk, plus they have a difficult time sitting still. They learn best through an active, hands-on approach.

Although a child may appear to be a visual learner or kinesthetic learner, it doesn’t exclude him from trying other learning styles, too, or a combination of styles. The important part is to help your child learn in the way that makes the most sense to him, while still providing a well-balanced learning environment.

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Activities for Different Learning Styles

Visual learners need to see visual images, in order to fully absorb information. When thinking and processing information, they often see pictures in their minds.

Visual tips for visual learning environments:

• Create posters, artwork, or colorful pictorials to accompany lessons.
• Hang educational charts, displays, illustrations, maps, and mobiles.
• Make flow charts, pie charts, and diagrams to illustrate math and science concepts.
• Design colorful flashcards for spelling, vocabulary, English, and math skills.
• Use computer applications, software, or games for learning topics.
• Watch educational videos or DVDs.
• Read illustrated reference books or picture books.

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Auditory learners learn through hearing. They grasp information better by listening to someone reading aloud or to CDs or audio books, hearing descriptions or experiences, or by participating in discussions.

Auditory tips for auditory learning environments:

• Read material aloud to auditory learners.
• Use rhythm and voice inflection when reading and talking.
• Present material in an interesting storytelling format.
• Create musical or dramatic presentations of topics studied.
• Record lessons for children to play and replay.
• Engage in lively discussions and debates on various subjects.
• Use CDs, audiotapes, or recorded books relating to topics studied.

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Tactile and kinesthetic learners absorb information through touching and moving. This learning group is sometimes broken into two separate categories: tactile and tactile-kinesthetic. Both groups are similar, with the tactile-kinesthetics enjoying hands-on experiences as well as lots of movement in their learning styles.

Tactile-kinesthetic tips for tactile-kinesthetic learning environments:

• Understand that movement and touch is imperative for learning.
• Provide a variety of manipulatives for hands-on learning.
• Incorporate games, construction sets, Geoboards, and Cuisenaire rods into lessons.
• Use lab equipment for experimenting with science and math concepts.
• Perform dramatic plays that bring social studies and literature to life.
• Read or study while swaying to music or tapping feet.
• Create lessons choreographed to dance music.
• Take frequent field trips related to topics studied.

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Most children will benefit from a combination of these activities. And children who lean toward a specific style will benefit greatly when more focus is placed upon their particular learning style.

*** Material above is an excerpt from my book, The Everything Guide to Homeschooling, Copyright © 2015, available through our website at EverythingHomeschooling.com.

Have a Happy Homeschool Year!

Homeschool Graduation and Homeschool Diploma

Congratulations! Your homeschooled child is ready to graduate!

It's the time of year to think about the homeschool diploma and homeschool graduation. And, yes, you can hand your child his or her diploma from your family's established homeschool.

Your children can also wear caps and gowns, have honors and medals bestowed upon them, and have lots of fun with graduation and end-of-year celebrations. You can host your own celebratory party, or join together with other homeschool families to celebrate your children's accomplishments.

Sincere congratulations and best wishes to your graduating child from all of us at EverythingHomeschooling.com!

April Learning Activities

The month of April offers many fun learning topics!

What new things can you learn in April? Learn about 5 new topics and surprise your family and friends with your new-found knowledge!

To help you get started, here are some April events you could learn about:

1. The first ice-cream sundae was made in 1892, and the first iPad in the U.S. was sold in 2010. Have you experienced either of these?
2. Richard Peck was born in 1934. Who was Richard Peck, and what did he write?
3. Explorers reached the North Pole in April. Who are some of those explorers? Where is the North Pole, and how might you travel there?
4. The Civil War ended in 1865. Who surrendered? What is Appomattox, and where is it located?
5. The Civil Rights Act was signed in 1964. What is the Civil Rights Act?
6. Beverly Cleary was born in 1916. Who was Beverly Cleary, and what did she write?
7. The Titanic struck an iceberg and sunk in 1912. What was The Titanic? What is an iceberg, and where might you find more icebergs?
8. Leonardo Da Vinci was born in 1452. Who was Da Vinci, and what are some of the many things he accomplished?
9. On April 18, 1775, what famous horseman rode from Boston to Lexington? What message did he carry, and why?
10. The Curies made an amazing discovery in 1902. Who were the Curies and what did they discover?
11. Earth Day was established in 1970. What is the purpose of Earth Day? How do you celebrate Earth Day?
12. William Shakespeare was born in 1564. Who was Shakespeare, and what did he write?
13. The Hubble Telescope was launched in 1990. What is its purpose? How might you build a model Hubble Telescope?
14. Charles Francis Richter was born in 1900. What is he known for? Part of his name provides a helpful clue.
15. What is Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day? How might you celebrate the day?
16. April 27 is Tell-a-Story Day. Tell a story to family and friends. Also tell them about the many things you learned this month!

For more learning fun and free learning activities, visit EverythingHomeschooling.com!

Happy homeschooling!

Learn about Women in History for Women's History Month

March Is Women's History Month -- Create a Collage or Timeline of Famous Women in History!

You can use the lists of Famous Women on our "Free Activities" page to choose from hundreds of Women in History.

Learn about these women, plus the historic events surrounding them.

View Exhibits and Collections of Photos and Documents for Women's History Month.

Print the Activity Pages on Famous Women in History, too.

Take the activities a bit further and branch out into other areas of history and famous events. This extends the learning and allows your children to follow their own interests, as well.

For more Homeschool Activities, see our Home page at EverythingHomeschooling.com and have fun learning!

Happy homeschooling!