These differences became even more pronounced once the girls started school, says Miller. Katie, now in 4th grade, approaches learning in the same methodical way she approaches life. She excels in math and science, both of which make the most of her logical, careful thought processes. First-grader Emily loves dress-up play and gravitates towards art projects — the more hands-on, the better — at school.

Miller's experience will not surprise any parent of more than one child: even though two kids may have the same parents, their approaches to learning can make it seem like they come from different planets. Experts such as Howard Gardner, professor at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education, have studied these divergent learning styles, also known as "multiple intelligences." Gardner's premise, first outlined in his book Frames of Mind, is that children have different natural ways of learning, and that parents and teachers who are aware of how children learn can greatly enhance what they learn.

That means you should pass on knowledge about your child's learning style to his teacher so she will be able to use that information to teach more effectively. Andrea Miller makes a point of writing a note to Katie's and Emily's teachers at the beginning of each school year. "Once I figured out how and why the girls learned so differently," Miller says, "I became a better advocate for them in school, and more effective in helping them at home."

To determine your child's learning style and find out more about how to support her at home, take the following quiz. If two or more of the responses can apply to your child, pick the one that most or most often applies.