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.
Writer/Storyteller
Your child fits many of the traits of a Writer/Storyteller. Your child tends to love words, books, and ideas. She may be an avid storyteller, have a strong vocabulary, and may be good at formulating verbal arguments. Your child likely learns best through reading, taking notes, listening to information, and engaging in active discussions. Stories, rhymes, and poetry delight the Writer/Storyteller, and she often has very good recall of names and events.
Very young Writer/Storyteller children often “read” books as a source of both comfort and entertainment. Your child may use books and stories as a means to socialize or make connections with adults or other children (e.g., turning to another child and saying, “Look at how big Clifford’s house is!”). Your child likely is beginning to sound out words, or recognize environmental print (e.g., “reading” street signs or fast food signs). She may possess a vocabulary beyond her years, although she may still misuse words. Your Writer/Storyteller likely enjoys telling you stories, real and imagined, some complex or convoluted. She may love dramatic play, dress up, or engage in very dialog-laden doll play or action figure adventures. If your child has begun writing, you may notice that her sentences tend to move beyond the standard “I like…” format that so many children this age are limited to.
For some activities and resources that will benefit your Writer/Storyteller, click here
