Learning Styles and Teaching Style Matter

Daily Truth:  “You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”  Deuteronomy  11:19

group of children

Is it important to know the learning styles of children in order to teach children effectively?

According to Deuteronomy 11:19 we are to teach the things of God throughout the day. This seems like a big order in this day of technology, over commitments, fast food, and sometimes fast talk.  Yet, we need to slow down our lives so we will be able to tend well to our families. Teaching about God and His Word are the most important things we can do.

In order to make the most of  teaching moments it is good to know the learning style of your child.  There are several ways to categorize learning styles.

I will refer to  three learning styles:  auditory learner, visual learner and the kinesthetic learner. The auditory learner learns best by hearing the information being taught to them and then talking about what was learned.  The visual learner must see the process, facts, and concepts being taught.  The kinesthetic learner learns best while manipulating, touching, and working with the concepts being taught.

Watch children as they play to help determine their learning style.  An auditory learner will express themselves through their words.They may also enjoy music and various sounds. The visual learner will have more facial expression. They also enjoy watching and observing.  The kinesthetic learner will more likely express themselves through body language and manipulation of the objects being played with.  They may even want to take things apart to see how it works. They enjoy physical activity.

Our ultimate teacher example is Jesus Christ.  While on this earth he taught to the auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learner.  Jesus used parables (a short story with a message) to teach. Oh how those auditory learners must have wanted to sit for hours listening and soaking in every word that Jesus said.  Jesus also taught to the visual learner.   He fed 5,000 people with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread!  What a site that would have been to see!  And then for the kinesthetic learner (some of the disciples)  each received a basket of food left over to carry with them after Jesus fed the 5,000 people.

Try to think of other examples from the Bible in which Jesus taught to the various learning styles.  It is exciting to see all the examples of teaching scenarios God’s Word provides for us.  It never ceases to amaze me how much we can learn from God’s Word.

Once we understand the learning style of the children God has placed around us we can more effectively teach each child. Just as Jesus taught in a variety of ways so too should we.  We need to know the dominant way in which the individual child learns but teaching to all children means we need to make sure that we as parents, grandparents, and teachers follow Jesus’ example and teach to all three learning styles.

Teaching the things of God while we “speak, sit, and walk” as told to us in Deuteronomy 11:19 covers the three learning styles.

Until the next “Truths” sharing moment,

Cathy Jo Johnson

 

 

 

 

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