The three learning modalities are the ways we prefer to
take information to the mind. We all learn in a
variety of ways, but generally have a dominant method....
1.
Kinesthetic... (aka Tactile) learn
best by doing, touching,
manipulating
2.
Visual... learn
best by seeing and making mental images
3.
Auditory... learn best by
listening
The way your child learns best is called their
"dominant modality." Their "secondary modality" comes
in second, and their "weakness" is his or her least favored
method. If your child can learn equally well using
two different modalities, they are considered to have "mixed
modalities." "Some kids- about 30 percent- operate out of a
blend of two or three strengths."(1:27)
Very young children learn almost entirely through doing
(they are kinesthetic learners), so preschool, kindergarten
and first grades should be taught accordingly. In about first
or second grade, children begin to be able to learn visually
(which is why reading often takes off at this age), and around fifth or
sixth grade, they begin to learn through listening. Keep in
mind every child is different, and these are approximate
ranges. As adults, we can learn through any of the three
modalities, but, it is when we take in information
through our dominant modality that we
learn best.
We can learn with our other modalities, it just takes more
work.
If you try to teach a child in a modality he is unable
to learn through yet, you will frustrate both yourself and
the child. Once your child is to the point that he is capable
of learning in more then one modality, he should be
able to switch between modalities to learn. But, the more you
can teach to his dominate modality, the better he learns and
remembers.
