Different children approach learning in different ways: some learn best by reading or listening, some by reasoning, some by seeing or creating images, and others by manipulating. By discovering more about your child’s learning profile, you can help your child approach a more difficult topic by building off her areas of strength. For example, if your child does best when she can “see” what is being asked of her, she can leverage mind maps or other visuals to learn. Similarly, you can foster less utilized ways of learning by approaching an area of mastery through a less favored aspect of her learning profile. Thus, you can encourage this same visual child to look for mathematical patterns, or ask her to write a story by way of a graphic novel. Now that you have completed the survey, take a look at your child’s dominant way of approaching learning.
Scientist/Mathematician
Scientist/Mathematician children tend to be strong in reasoning, number, and critical thinking. Your child is likely able to recognize abstract patterns and follow (or put forth!) complex logical arguments. Your child likely learns most easily through determining patterns and relationships, by classifying and grouping information, and through scientific problem solving.
You may notice your Scientist/Mathematician’s interest in doing puzzles, or see her skill in identifying, creating, and continuing patterns. In addition, your child likely tends to “click” in to ideas that involve numbers. For example, your child may spontaneously announce that your (striped) shirt is a pattern—red, blue, red, blue. Your child may be skilled at sequencing, sorting, and counting. She may line up the dinosaurs from smallest to largest as she individually points to and counts each one. She may ask many questions about how things work or love to measure how tall or how long something is. Your child may also enjoy cooking activities where she can help measure, pour, and mix.
For some activities and resources that will benefit your Scientist/Mathematician, click here.
