Eight Kinds of Learners
By Sue Harmon
Dylan was a child that I could count on. His grandparents brought him to church, and I could count on Dylan to always have something to show me when he came to the classroom. A dead beattle, a bird’s nest, a seashell from a beach trip, a handful of rocks – there was always something interesting from God’s world that had captured Dylan’s attention, and he brought it to church to show his friends and teachers.
Not all children are as focused on the natural world as Dylan. Some are very musically sensitive. Some are more highly influenced by words and language. In fact, research has identified eight approaches to learning that you may see in the children you teach.1 Some, like Dylan, will be obviously strong in one area. With others, it will take some observation to determine their learning preferences. Many children are strong in more than one approach. That’s why it is important to use a variety of teaching methods that will appeal to the variety of learning approaches among the children in the classroom.
Here is a brief description of the eight approaches to learning:
1. Verbal – this child will enjoy words and language, both written and spoken or sung. Use books, stories, repetitive songs, and writing activities of all sorts with verbal learners.
2. Visual – this child sees information in terms of colors and pictures. Make activities visually appealing with pictures, colorful items, a variety of art media, and books with lots of illustrations for visual learners.
3. Physical – this child acquires information through movement and through manipulating objects. Use physical games, movements to music, hands-on activities and art experiences to teach physical learners.
4. Logical – this child uses rational thinking and enjoys “figuring out” things. Activities that involve matching, sorting, sequencing, and problem-solving will appeal to the logical learner.
5. Relational – this child likes to be with others. Cooperative play, group projects, helping others, and working together are teaching methods for relational learners.
6. Reflective – this child is introspective, often quiet and independent. Allow time to work alone, provide materials that encourage self-expression, and spend time relating one-on-one with the reflective learner.
7. Musical – this child enjoys the rhythm and melody of music. Use activities such as singing, using musical instruments, moving to music, and making up words to familiar tunes with the musical learner.
8. Natural – this child is interested in God’s creation. Provide experiences with nature items, opportunities to walk or play outdoors, and ways to document their nature observations (drawing, painting, counting) for natural learners.
Like Dylan, all children come to us with God-given preferences. As teachers and parents are aware of their children’s preferred learning approaches, they can plan to teach in ways that God created their children to learn best.
1Gardner, Howard. Intelligence Reframed: Multiple Intelligences for the 21st Century, New York: Basic Books, 1999.
