Every child is unique, and so is the way they learn. Some children love to sit quietly with a book, while others need to get hands-on and physically involved to understand a concept. Others may prefer working independently to working as part of a group.
Recognising your child’s preferred learning style can make a real difference to their academic success, confidence, and overall happiness at school. By understanding how your child learns best, you can help tailor their learning experience at home—and ensure they get the most from their education at school, too.
Let’s explore the different learning styles and how you can support your child’s natural strengths.
Why Learning Styles Matter
When a child is taught in a way that suits them, learning feels easier, more enjoyable, and far less stressful. They’re more likely to retain information, stay engaged, and feel motivated to keep going even when the work gets challenging.
If learning styles are ignored, however, children might feel frustrated, disinterested, or believe they’re “not good at school”—when in reality, the teaching approach just doesn’t suit them.
Understanding how your child learns isn’t about labelling them or limiting their options; it’s about giving them the right tools to thrive.
Common Learning Styles
While every child is different, educational researchers often group learning preferences into a few broad categories. You might hear about the VARK model, which describes four key styles:
Visual Learners: Learn best through seeing. They understand information through charts, diagrams, videos, and written notes.
Auditory Learners: Learn best through listening. They benefit from discussions, lectures, audiobooks, and reading aloud.
Reading/Writing Learners: Prefer information displayed as words. They love making notes, lists, and writing things out to understand them.
Kinesthetic Learners: Learn best through doing. They thrive when they can move around, build, touch, and experience things physically.
Of course, many children have a blend of styles—and that’s perfectly normal!
Spotting Your Child’s Learning Style
You can often spot how your child learns best just by observing them during everyday activities:
- Do they prefer watching a video tutorial or reading instructions?
- Do they talk through problems out loud?
- Are they constantly moving and exploring with their hands?
- Do they love lists, note-taking, and structured written tasks?
Asking their teachers for insights can also be helpful. Teachers often notice patterns in how children absorb and process information during lessons.
Supporting Different Learning Styles at Home
Once you have a sense of how your child learns, you can adapt home learning to suit them:
For Visual Learners:
- Use colourful mind maps and diagrams
- Watch educational videos together
- Highlight important information with different colours
For Auditory Learners:
- Encourage them to read notes aloud
- Use rhymes, songs, or mnemonic devices
- Discuss new concepts together
For Reading/Writing Learners:
- Help them create revision cards and written summaries
- Encourage diary-keeping or journaling to reflect on their learning
- Use traditional study guides and textbooks
For Kinesthetic Learners:
- Turn lessons into games or physical activities
- Use practical experiments for science topics
- Allow fidget toys during homework to aid concentration
What If My Child Doesn’t Fit Just One Style?
Most children (and adults!) are a mix of learning styles. The key is to offer a variety of approaches and see which ones your child responds to best depending on the subject or situation.
For example, they might enjoy drawing mind maps for history revision but prefer hands-on activities for science experiments. Keeping learning flexible and varied helps to keep them engaged and motivated.
At Tutor Doctor, we often highlight the importance of adapting to individual needs, and it’s something you can embrace at home too—through a mix of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities.
How Tutor Doctor Can Help
At Tutor Doctor, we believe that one size does not fit all when it comes to education. Our one-to-one tutoring services are designed to match your child’s individual learning style, building a tailored approach that suits their needs, interests, and goals.
Whether your child thrives through visual learning, hands-on activities, or lively discussions, our experienced tutors adapt their methods to bring out the best in every student.
Find your nearest Tutor Doctor location today and help your child discover their perfect way to learn—and fall in love with learning for life!
