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Becky Parker
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Has anyone read this book "Discover Your Child's Learning Style"? I read about it at Cathy Duffy's Site and bought it. I started reading it with much enthusiasm, but now that I'm near the end I'm nothing but overwhelmed! I learned why my original idea of getting one curriculum and making it work for all my kids isn't working though. They are all completely different in learning styles, talents, etc.! If you've read the book, I'd love to know what you think.
For me, the message I came away with is that the most productive way to teach your child is to find out their learning style, and teach to that. However, I'm struggling a little with that because sometimes I think it is better to use other methods, to help your child develope in those areas. Any thoughts on that?
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teachingmyown
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I am reading Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Curriculum Choices right now and she has a section on learning styles. I, too, find it overwhelming, especially with a bunch of different learners! I found Mercy Academy's assessment more useful. I also think that it is important to take your own teaching style into account. It doesn't matter how wonderful Math-U-See might be for a certain child if I, as the teacher, will never be able to make myself do it!
I feel your pain!
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Barbara C.
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I'm pretty sure that's the one I read a few years ago (and I've been meaning to read it again). At the time I read it, I only had one doing preschool. The only thing I really remember is that it said that her learning style worked really well with computer games, which made me feel less guilty about letting her spend so much time on the computer. 
I think there is always that struggle between trying to match the child's learning style while teaching them that they have to learn in other ways as well. And then there's the parent's teaching/learning style to consider as well. I tend to teach in what I call P.T. Barnum style: throw the information at them in a variety of ways and see which one sinks in.
Of course, I could see where it could be very difficult if you are teaching lots of kids to constantly tweak thinks to fit each individual learning style. And just because a child has a "best" learning style does not necessarily mean that's the only way they are capable of learning. So, perhaps the "best" learning style can be that ace in the hole for those particularly difficult concepts.
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amarytbc
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I haven’t read that book, but I’ve done a good deal of research into learning styles and don’t want you to feel that the time spent reading the book was a waste. Think about learning styles as a doorway into the child’s learning experiences. Sometimes you will use the ideas you learned in the book to catch the child’s attention when you introduce a new topic or perhaps to motivate him when he’s struggling and just not understanding a concept. Subjects that are the most difficult should probably be taught using material that is geared toward the child’s style, but that just doesn’t have to be the case for all of the subjects. It isn’t an all or nothing situation with learning styles and with a little creativity you really can use almost all material with different learning styles.
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Bella
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amarytbc wrote:
| I haven’t read that book, but I’ve done a good deal of research into learning styles and don’t want you to feel that the time spent reading the book was a waste. Think about learning styles as a doorway into the child’s learning experiences. Sometimes you will use the ideas you learned in the book to catch the child’s attention when you introduce a new topic or perhaps to motivate him when he’s struggling and just not understanding a concept. Subjects that are the most difficult should probably be taught using material that is geared toward the child’s style, but that just doesn’t have to be the case for all of the subjects. It isn’t an all or nothing situation with learning styles and with a little creativity you really can use almost all material with different learning styles. |
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ITA!! 
I agree it can be overwhelming-especially when trying to "nail" down more than one kiddo!
I used to get so bogged down, trying to determine my oldest dc's learning style-until we discovered that she had some special needs, and these needs were causing her styles to be all over the place!  Throughout my determination to figure her out, I had to constantly remind myself to figure in developmental age and temperament. Combined, these give you a much clearer(or muddier ) picture! Do remember, that dc's styles WILL change, according to their age-at least to a certain degree.
I must say, it was a relief to me, to find a book like this, that went farther than Tom Armstrong's _In Their Own Way_.
Thank you, for bringing this up! I am going to dig my copy up from the basement, and "see" where our dc are at. 
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Becky Parker
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Thank you for the encouragement. I know the kids are happier when I am "teaching to their style" and things are probably more peaceful. It would help if they all had the same style though! Well,not really, life would probably be boring then!
Barbara, you mentioned the parent's teaching style which I didn't take into account. I know I have some curriculum around here that I love, and some that I really don't like at all. It is such a task for me to use it with the kids. I'm sure that's because it doesn't fit my style. Maybe I should take the test in the book and find out what I am. I'm guessing I'm a "producer" though. Go figure, none of my kids are !
And Bella, your comment about special needs and that their styles can change really makes sense. Before my dd "took the test" I had her pegged as something different, but when I really observed her I realized she has changed as she's matured - changes that I really didn't even notice.
Thanks Ladies!
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Becky Parker
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I was just thinking, would this be a good place to talk about specific styles and curriculum we have found that works? Would there be any interest in that type of discussion?
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Becky
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Barbara C.
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You can find people willing to discuss almost anything on here.
Like I said, I need to re-read the book. I also want to see if my oldest has changed and assess my middle girl. But one reason that I chose to use Singapore Math (besides the awesome test scores) is that it's really adaptable to all learning styles. It has the organization of workbooks/text books, but there is a lot of room for and suggestion of using math manipulatives for more tactile learners. At least so far in the first grade book, I've found ways to incorporate the hopscotch mat for some more physical involvement. (P.T. Barnum style)
Hopefully, I'll get the book from the library soon, so I can discuss it better. I know what has been working with my daughter, but I can't remember how/why it relates to her learning style as described in the book.
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Barbara C.
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This post inspired me to re-read this book and Becky's last comment made me really think about its application.
I use Singapore Math as our Math curriculum and it seems to work really well for my oldest daughter who "tested" as a "Performing" disposition (with strong secondaries in "Creating" and "Thinking") and I think more importantly a strong Tactile-Kinesthetic modality. I think the Singapore works well because it offers lots of opportunities to use manipulatives and is not overly repetitive.
I often use workbooks (mostly Kumon) as a spine of sorts. I think I started doing this because it fit my learning style (Producer, strong Visual Modality). I think they have worked fairly well for her, because they are more active than being read to (which bores her to death). Although, I have had to mix in other more active activities to supplement at times.
I have just posted on my blog about ideas inspired by the book,and I plan at least one more explaining how I plan to apply them to our homeschooling in practical ways.
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sunny
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So funny because I am in the middle of reading this right now! My ds 5 and I have completed our porfiles and they fit to a T!!! Now I am trying to do the preschool assessment for my dd 3 1/2. She is probably the main reason I am reading this!
amarytbc wrote:
| Sometimes you will use the ideas you learned in the book to catch the child’s attention |
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If I could have some insight into her way of thinking I would be so happy!
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sunny
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so sorry that quote didnt work quite right. I have done it before properly...I dont know what happened.
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ummm ... so, any recommendations on which of these many books would be the best start for someone who hasn't tackled any of them yet? 
so far I've based my "student assessments" on "Talkers, Watchers, Doers" which was a fine beginning, but this thread makes me think I need to delve much deeper. however, I'm a little overwhelmed already. any suggestions, or should I just go wild at Amazon?
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Mackfam
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Viviane -
Have you read The Temperament God Gave You? It's written from a Catholic perspective. If you haven't ever read it, it's a must read in my opinion. It helped me understand myself, my children, and my husband's inclinations based on the 4 temperaments, and encourages the development of traits in the other temperaments since our goal should be balance as Christ was the perfection of all the temperaments. It was/is a huge boost to help me understand the people in my home. It's foundational.
Then, for understanding Learning Styles, I have and read and enjoyed Discover Your Child's Learning Style.
Both books are tools, tools that assist, not trump, your own maternal insight and intuition. They will perhaps help you articulate, or add a vocabulary, to what you already see and know. I think you could get overwhelmed OVERTHINKING and OVERREADING this one...God places a naturally strong intuition in mothers. I go with that. If you're quiet and engaged in the little moments of the day, your children will show you exactly how they like to learn. Follow their lead. I'm not trying to discourage reading about this - the topic fascinates me! I am saying I think sometimes we can all get caught up in trying to analyze an aspect of our children or their learning and we focus everything there and forget to look at the big picture...forget that most learning takes place in the real moments of the day, in a quiet unexpected moment, and when we're all curled up together with a picture book.
HTH you discern, Viviane.
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I have to second The Temperament God Gave you. It really brought a bunch of insight into the way that our family relates to one another and the way I teach.
BTW: In our house my husband, my two oldest daughters and myself have each of the 4 temperaments! It makes for great discussion
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THANK YOU! and my dh (who has to pay the Amazon bill) thanks you as well!
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Barbara C.
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I think the thing that helped me the most was looking at where we were different. I am SUCH a VISUAL learner and I was being very reluctant about doing things that were too far out of my comfort zone like spontaneous activities or hands-on projects, which appeal to her. I am also not good with creative things; I prefer to follow the directions. So I'm trying to find that balance between her needs and mine.
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MaryM
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teachingmyown wrote:
| I found Mercy Academy's assessment more useful. |
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I was listening to the Homeschool COnnections webinar last night with Alicia van Hecke. She recommended this assessment as well, so I wanted to include the link.
Mercy Academy Learning Style Test
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Mary G
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I just gave the gang the learning styles test from Discover Your Child's Learning Style and it was very cool! I took it too and see why some things work with some and others not .... and it was cool too that they include not just dispositions or temperaments but also talents, interests, modality (how each of us learns) and environmental concerns. I think that's why this book really resonated with me ... it includes many of the facets (altho, it is definitely written for the "real school" rather than the home school student).
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Becky Parker
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Mackfam wrote:
| Both books are tools, tools that assist, not trump, your own maternal insight and intuition. They will perhaps help you articulate, or add a vocabulary, to what you already see and know. I think you could get overwhelmed OVERTHINKING and OVERREADING this one...God places a naturally strong intuition in mothers. I go with that. If you're quiet and engaged in the little moments of the day, your children will show you exactly how they like to learn. Follow their lead. I'm not trying to discourage reading about this - the topic fascinates me! I am saying I think sometimes we can all get caught up in trying to analyze an aspect of our children or their learning and we focus everything there and forget to look at the big picture... |
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Such a great reminder Jennifer! I know that I get very caught up in this sort of thing and then I freeze because I am so overwhelmed. I spent most of our vacation last week thinking about how I was going to teach each of my kids effectively when their learning styles are all so different, and NOBODY matches mine! I became overwhelmed and just wanted to cry. Coming around to my senses, I reminded myself that I have been teaching my kids for 7 years and they are all doing fine. I think, tweaking what I do, especially in areas where they struggle, like math for my "Inventor child" and reading for my "Creator child" will help, but I have to remember the big picture as you so beautifully pointed out.
That being said, I am finding it invigorating, when I keep it in perspective, to have this information at my fingertips and apply some of it. Reading this book has helped me to understand why it was so easy to teach my dd to read but why my ds just doesn't get it. It's good for me to have to change my techniques occasionally, if for no other reason than to keep me from burning out or digging so deeply into my rut that I can't get out.
Now, my dh would rather I never read the book because my wishlist of school materials has become quite long and expensive,  but I guess I'll just have to get creative and come up with some home-made stuff.
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Becky Parker
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Barbara C. wrote:
| I think the thing that helped me the most was looking at where we were different. I am SUCH a VISUAL learner and I was being very reluctant about doing things that were too far out of my comfort zone like spontaneous activities or hands-on projects, which appeal to her. I am also not good with creative things; I prefer to follow the directions. So I'm trying to find that balance between her needs and mine. |
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What she said! 
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Becky
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Topic: Discover Your Child's Learning Style
