Every child learns in their own way. Some need pictures, others need movement. Some talk it out, while others quietly scribble their thoughts. As parents, spotting how our children learn can help us support them with less stress and more connection.
This guide will help you recognise the four main learning styles and give you real-life ways to support each one — not just for homework, but in everyday life too.
👀 Visual Learners
How to spot it:
- They enjoy drawing or watching videos
- They remember things they see more than what they hear
- They like to colour-code, highlight, or doodle as they work
Support strategies:
- Homework help: Use diagrams, mind maps, and colourful notes
- Extracurriculars: Arts, photography, puzzles, coding with visual elements
- School communication: Ask teachers for visual handouts or graphic organisers
- Emotional support: Let them express feelings through drawing or mood boards
Tip: Sit next to them while explaining something and use paper to sketch it out — even quick stick figures help.
🎧 Auditory Learners
How to spot it:
- They talk through their ideas out loud
- They remember songs, rhymes, or things said in class
- They prefer being told something rather than reading it
Support strategies:
- Homework help: Record key points as voice notes or say things aloud together
- Extracurriculars: Music, drama, debating, storytelling
- School communication: Ask teachers if lessons include discussions or presentations
- Emotional support: Use conversations and regular check-ins — they often process out loud
Tip: Let them explain what they’ve just learned — teaching someone else helps it stick.
📖 Reading-Writing Learners
How to spot it:
- They like reading instructions or making lists
- They prefer writing things down to remember them
- They do well with traditional classroom work
Support strategies:
- Homework help: Encourage summarising notes in their own words
- Extracurriculars: Writing clubs, journaling, book-based activities
- School communication: Ask for written overviews or access to slides and notes
- Emotional support: Give them space to journal or write their thoughts
Tip: Written routines work best. Try sticking a simple to-do list on their bedroom door.
🤸 Kinaesthetic Learners
How to spot it:
- They fidget or move around when thinking
- They prefer hands-on tasks over sitting still
- They learn best by doing — not watching or listening
Support strategies:
- Homework help: Break it into active segments with movement breaks
- Extracurriculars: Sports, dance, construction, experiments
- School communication: Ask if the classroom allows for active or flexible learning
- Emotional support: Let them release energy before talking — walk and talk if needed
Tip: Use everyday activities as learning tools. Measuring ingredients? That’s maths. Building something? That’s problem-solving.
👨👩👧 What if your children have different styles?
Many families have more than one child, and often they’ll each have a different style. Here’s how to manage it:
- Let each child choose their own study tools or revision method
- Rotate who gets their preferred style during shared activities
- Combine styles when possible — reading aloud while drawing, or writing then acting it out
You’re not trying to be perfect — you’re just showing them you notice and care about what works for them.
Why this matters
When a child feels understood, they feel confident. Learning becomes less of a struggle and more of an experience. And as a parent, it becomes easier to help without second-guessing every step.
Supporting learning styles isn’t about changing how you parent — it’s about giving your child more of what already works for them.
👉 Want help figuring out your child’s style?
Take the Unify Learning Style Assessment for a quick, research-backed way to understand how your child learns best — plus get personalised support tips.
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