Understanding Different Learning Styles impowers parents and Educators

Learning styles are sometimes described using different words:   spatial/visual learners who learn by seeing. Some are tactile/kinetic learners who learn by doing and/or touching. Others are auditory learners who learn by listening and talking. The rest may be logical learners who learn by thinking. However Plato broke these different learning styles into much more useful detail, and researchers are rediscovering his words of wisdom still important today. Understanding the different learning styles/ personality types is important because it improves one’s abilities as a parent, teacher, and spouse.

The Analytical Learning Style

In the video above, you will learn about the NT personality (Rational/ Analytical) learning style. They make up only 6 to 12 percent of the average population. Many of the ways they learn best are as follows:

· Because Nts are such a small percentage of the population, they are unlikely to have role models in their lives to help them develop their own unique talents. They are often left up to their own experimentation and exploration for that need. Thus the Unschooling Method of instruction works well for these children.

· Sp adults (see second video) are wise to help the rational child by providing them tactical roles, because little Nts are usually eager to add concrete techniques to their skills. Self esteem is developed by recognizing and praising their inventiveness and cleverness. They are not usually impressed with gold stars on their hands or papers…it makes no sense to them.

· These children love board games like Monopoly , and learning games like Ring Around The Phonics. Note: unlike most children, they will quickly get tired of doing the same activity cards in Ring Around The Phonics. When that happens, I start letting them write their own activity cards, helping them if they have not yet learned to write. It is an excellent way to start teaching them writing skills.

·They are more likely to practice reading if it is a subject that interests them. For example, one of my students likes Star Wars and science books. So I will start out reading to him, pointing to the words as I read, pausing periodically for him to pick up where I leave off (especially when I get to the big words). Because he is interested in the subject matter, he continues the reading (out loud) without any hesitation or instruction from me.

· Once the NT knows their phonic sounds, I use Ring Around The Phonics to teach them root words, prefixes, suffixes and word families which helps them decode the larger words. They also like a challenge, so I will sometimes say, “I am going to try to trick you. lets see if you can read this big word.” Usually just stating something that way motivates them, and they will usually figure it out. However, if they can’t figure it out, they can become quite upset with themselves. That can be a time to teach them it is OK not to be perfect.

· Nts can become quite stubborn if others try to manipulate them. However they can benefit greatly by parents and teachers who help them understand why social niceties are important. It is also important to explain to them why you are having them do something they don’t want to do. They are more likely to cooperate if there is a reason they perceive as logical.

· Most of all parents do well to read to their rational child. They are fascinated by stories.

· They look critically at any plan of action, particularly if based on tradition or custom. Rational children need help in understanding that these things are important to others, and a smooth operation to society. When I say understand, I mean the logic behind such things…not just because “I say so”.

· This is funny but true: The ST child likes to accomplish something while learning, and the NT child likes to be taught how to do things just to satisfy his desire to know. So both personalities will learn while building something like a room addition. However, a word of caution; the NT will often stray from the standard way of doing the job just to find out “what if”. It can be quite an adventure.

Nts are very good at analytical thinking, and have trouble understanding that their sarcastic remarks toward others, who are not so analytical, are hurtful. They benefit greatly by understanding the different personality types, and it helps them to develop some of the social niceties.

Note: (It is important not to put inflexible labels on ourselves and others, because, even though we tend to be more of one personality than another, we are never one hundred percent in any one category, and different situations can bring out different traits.)

The Sp (Artisan, hands on, kinesthetic) learning Style

In this video, you will learn about the Sp (Artisan) learning style. Even though they are 38% of the of the average classroom, they are the most misunderstood. As a result, studies show, they are the most likely to drop out of school early. Some of the ways they learn best are as follows:

· They like to entertain and to be entertained

· Prefer visual over verbal learning

· The more game like it is, the better

· Team play and competition works well with these children

· It is more important to praise their performance, than to praise their product

· They like short activities in which they can move around

· For children that are learning to read, or having trouble learning to read we have found nothing better than Ring Around the Phonics. Hands on learners love it.

· The Artisan often sees other personality types as “stupid”. However if they are helped to learn about, and appreciate the unique gifts of others, they can become Great leaders.

· This is funny but true: The Artisan child likes to accomplish something while learning, and the NT child likes to be taught how to do things just to satisfy his desire to know. So both personalities will learn while building something like a room addition. However, a word of caution; the NT will often stray from the standard way of doing the job just to find out “what if”. It can be quite an adventure.

(It is important not to put inflexible labels on ourselves and others, because, even though we tend to be more of one personality than another, we are never one hundred percent in any one category, and different situations can bring out different traits.)

The Nf (intuitive-feeling, idealist) Learning Style

In this video, you will learn about the NF personality (Intuitive Feeling) learning style. They are only 12 percent of the average population, but have had a profound effect on society. In fact, Gandhi was an NF. Some of the ways they learn best are as follows:

· A personal note written about their work can be a powerful motivator to these children as long as it is positive. A negative approach can provoke an NF into rebellion or inaction.

· Like the SP, the NF learns best from discussion and role playing methods .

· Their vocabulary often exceeds their ability to put things on paper. So, putting their thoughts on a recording first, often helps their creativity.

· Unlike the SP, they prefer team work over competition. They are highly sensitive, and feel the pain of others. As a result, they will often let others win so as not to hurt them. When I play learning games with these children, I am quick to announce that everyone is a winner because they completed the task.

· “The NF child can be particularly responsive to teachers who are accepting and nourishing, who verbalize recognition of feelings, who individualize their instruction, who use lots of small group interaction, who genuinely respond to and accept the ideas and opinions of class members, and who avoid sarcasm and ridicule as a means of control.” (page 128 Please Understand Me: Character and Temperament Types

· The Idealist learns best through discussion, and role playing, but will adjust to various methods of teaching (Eclectic) as long as it is serving the people involved, and not perceived as cruel or exclusive.

· These children seem to have high moral expectations of themselves, and can be perfectionists in that regard. Unlike the SP, the NF can feel guilt when acting devilish, and often have to learn how to stand up for themselves in a positive manner.

· While the SP wants to know how his toys work, the NF child is more likely to weave imaginary stories around his/ her toys. They can become quite attached to them, feeling a great loss when one is lost or left behind.

· The Introverted NF can become very isolated, and needs help developing social skills in order to develop their full potential. That is not to say they need to become more extroverted, but that they need to develop some social skills in dealing with others.

(It is important not to put inflexible labels on ourselves and others, because, even though we tend to be more of one personality than another, we are never one hundred percent in any one category, and different situations can bring out different traits.)

Sj (Guardian) Learning Style

In this video, you will learn about the SJ (Guardian) learning style. They make up 40 to 45 percent of the average population. Some of the ways they learn best are as follows:

· They like sticky stars and the like placed on their papers and hands.

· Unlike the SP (artisan), the guardian child will sit quietly waiting for instructions.

· Little Sjs usually respond well to specific assignments and responsibilities like feeding the pets, or setting the table.

· Their source of pride is the approval they receive from figures of authority when they do a job well. Doing their best loses its appeal if approval is not forthcoming. If they are less than helpful, their self respect can suffer as they develop feelings of guilt.

· They do well with workbooks, and the Conventional Method of instruction.

My father was an NT (rational), and my mother an SJ. Mother was quite intelligent in her own way. She was far more successful at running business enterprises, and tending to details. But because she was not good in analytical conversations, my father did not appreciate her unique intelligence. SJs are a good balance for the NT only if the differences are understood and appreciated. Otherwise they become a source of irritation and division.

Note: (It is important not to put inflexible labels on ourselves and others, because, even though we tend to be more of one personality than another, we are never one hundred percent in any one category, and different situations can bring out different traits.)

Resource

The book below not only teach more about the personality types, but it also has a test that one can take with family and friends to help us understand each other better. I found this activity fun and informative. I highly recommend the book because it improves relationships.

https://keirsey.com/temperament/guardian-overview/

Please Understand Me II, by David Keirsey