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.
Your Scientist/Mathematician is able to mentally take apart things and put them back together better than many of her peers. She tends to enjoy math problems, mysteries, riddles, and puzzles. Sequencing, making meaningful comparisons, and finding contrasts also comes relatively easily to your child. Your Scientist/Mathematician enjoys experiences that demonstrate change over time, use symbols (e.g., codes), or require formulas.
Organizational skills are a strength of your child, and she tends to be quite skilled at using the computer or other technological devices. Engage your logical learner in problem solving activities, experiences that require the use of strategy (e.g., chess), or those that include computer programming or science experiments.
For some activities and resources that will benefit your Scientist/Mathematician, click here.
