Some kids do particularly well in certain subjects but really struggle in others. For example, some kids can remember what they learned when they see it on paper but cannot remember a word of the teacher’s lecture.
Your child may remember landmarks but not verbal directions. For example, if you ask your child where his school is located, he may reply, “down the street from the playground; there’s a McDonald’s across the road.” Or, your child may say, “My school is on Elm Street, just turn West off Hickory street and North on Elm.”
The first example is more commonly associated with visual and semantic memory. These learners tend to like landmarks and information for which meaning can be assigned. The child may remember that the school is near McDonald’s because he went there after school one day.
The second example is more commonly associated with a child with a strong spatial and verbal learning style. That is, this child remembers because of hearing the directions aloud and seeing where things belong on a map.
Some children are better at learning verbal information but hate math. Others intuitively know where things are but might struggle to remember verbal information like names, dates, or numbers.
Everyone processes information a bit differently, and it is no surprise that your child has learning strengths and weaknesses. It is not a problem either, unless the weaker area is having a considerable impact on learning.
Imagine a child who tends to be a verbal learner, who has memorized math equations all the way through Algebra, and gets great grades. What if that child enters 9th grade Geometry and suddenly cannot pass the class without a tutor? In this case, the child may have a significant deficit in visual learning.
Perhaps your child needs help interpreting shapes, figures, and graphs. Maybe your child is bound for a legal career but not one as an engineer or architect. If he or she can get by just fine, chalk it up to a learning strength.
If, all of the sudden, you see failing grades in math and chemistry, this problem may signal a learning need or learning disability. Accommodations like extra time, preferential seating, and a quiet work space can make a world of difference.
What do challenges with Memory & Learning Styles look like?
- Learning okay in certain subjects but struggling in others?
- Remembering the landmarks but not knowing the street names?
- Knowing the address but not paying attention to what is around him?
- Having difficulty remembering things either visually or verbally?
- Retelling the story, she just read in her reading group, but forgetting where reading group meets?
- Getting lost on the way to music class but recalling every word to the song for next week’s concert?
Why is Memory & Learning Styles happening?
Memory and learning styles can impact a child’s success in life. Understanding how a child learns can allow parents and professionals to promote certain strategies over others and can guide a child toward greater success. This confidence in learning can build self-esteem for a child who may otherwise struggle significantly in school.
- Visual Learners: Some children prefer visual processing and visual learning styles versus auditory processing and auditory learning styles.
- Kinesthetic Learners: Some children learn best kinesthetically, by doing something. These kids like to try the task, complete the experiment and touch the samples.
- Multiple Intelligences: Psychologist Howard Gardner proposed a theory of multiple intelligences. These intelligences are like learning styles, referring to areas in which individuals may excel. In addition to verbal, visual and kinesthetic learning styles, Gardner proposed other types of intelligence. A few of these types are as follows: musical, mathematical, interpersonal and naturalistic.
Aptitude in some of these areas is self-explanatory. A kinesthetic learner tends to learn by movement and action, that is, by trying a task instead of just reading or hearing about it. An interpersonal style of learning fits a person who is very intuitive to others’ moods and is able to work well with others. Naturalistic learning refers to an elevated understanding of nature and the natural environment. Gardner suggests that multiple intelligences can encourage learners to feel confident in their strengths and to not force their learning into a certain category.
How can I manage Memory & Learning Styles at home?
If your child cannot learn in a certain way, it is important for him to understand how to modify learning strategies to tailor to his strengths.
Auditory learners learn best when they can listen to information presented, hear a lecture, or sing new information as a rhyme or jingle. The 50 states song may help a child learn his states. He may enjoy hearing a speaker on a topic like marine biology instead of viewing a map of marine ecosystems.
A visual learner will appreciate maps, charts and graphs. Visual depictions of different species of fish will be more interesting to a visual learner than would hearing a description of the fish’s behavior.
Active or kinesthetic learners want to get their hands wet, swim with the fish, or do an experiment on different types of ocean water to check the salt composition and determine the best habitat.
Many learners may like a mix of learning styles and modalities to master a topic. Your child might like to hear the lecture, with visuals, while taking notes, come home and have a conversation about the lecture, watch a movie on the ocean and visit the nearest aquarium.
When possible, it is best to use a variety of techniques and experiences that will work for many learners. That said, within the lesson an auditory learner might retain more from the lecture and conversation, and a visual learner will recall images from the video and power point slides.
If your child does not have any significant deficits, a preference for visual or verbal learning could be related to their learning style and may not be a disability. If you do notice deficits in processing, challenges with reading, writing or math or slow processing speed, it will be important to look at their symptoms further.
Referral for neuropsychological evaluation or for a psycho-educational evaluation will be crucial. If the problem could be attention or social skills, a full psychological evaluation to assess for ADHD, Autism, and learning disabilities is needed.
Associated referrals include tutoring and consultation with your school team to see what is being done in the classroom and to determine what can be done based on the unique learning profile. A tutor can help to develop strategies to make rote information more meaningful.
It is important to tackle these challenges early so that your child does not develop anxiety or depressive symptoms or challenging behaviors [7,8] around education.
Children spend a massive amount of time in school. When they feel less effective, it can really impact them across the board. Finding learning challenges and treating these early can really help maintain and improve your child’s self-esteem.
It’s also important to encourage other areas that your child excels in, such as art, dance, music, or sports. Other strengths can really help build confidence for a child who may be struggling in an academic domain. If your child is developing emotional symptoms, a referral to a psychotherapist may also be warranted.
How can Clear Child Psychology help with Memory & Learning Styles?
We Help You, Immediately
Our Free Discovery Session is a 20-minute consultation where we can talk one-on-one about the concerns and questions you have about your child.
We Help Determine Next Steps
Our Initial Consultation allows us to get a deeper understanding of your child’s needs and determine if an assessment is appropriate.
We Build a Customized Plan
Our Assessments allow us to determine your child’s specific strengths and challenges. We can use this information to develop a customized support plan which includes: referrals
We Connect you with the Right Professionals
Once we understand your child’s needs, we will help families get connected to the right specialists. No more guesswork, no more wasted time and resources.
We Provide Ongoing Coaching and Support
Our Coaching Packages allow us to continually support families as they continue their journeys. Parental coaching, life-skills practice, and school advocacy are just a few examples of ways we help.
