Determine Learning Styles

3 Veteran’s Superb Tips to Understand Homeschool Learning Style Differences

November 12, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

There is no denying that knowing homeschool learning style differences can help us make a difference in teaching. You’ll love the other tried and true tips I have on my page Homeschool Learning Styles.

Too, many complicated definitions exist about learning styles.

In addition, learning styles are explained in the educational world as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic to name a few.

3 Veteran’s Superb Tips to Understand Homeschool Learning Style Differences

And I never found that very helpful as a mom.

So, after 20+ years, I have researched, learned, and educated others about learning style differences.

I know you’ll benefit from these three tried and tips.

3 Tested Tips about Learning Styles

First, I want to share 3 things that makes it easier to understand learning styles.

1. Learning styles can be compared to a default setting.

This means that instead of jumping out there and selecting curriculum based only on our learning style, we want to consider our child’s style primarily.

Sometimes we think our teaching style is so clear easy to follow and the problem is with the child.

In truth, our teaching style may be causing the problems because we chose curriculum based on it.

At this point it’s important for you to know that teaching style can stem from our learning style.

We learn in specific way or style which makes complete sense to us.

Hence, this pours over into the way we teach.

As educators, we think our way is how school is supposed to be done and are not willing to bend from that method.

Understanding that like a machine, we have an inborn default setting for our personality and come pre-wired to make choices.

When we speak or write, we think we are absolutely clear in the way we communicate because we default to our natural way of learning.

Our natural way of learning becomes our teaching style.

Often times choices in curriculum are based on our pre-wired settings or default setting.

Unlike a machine though, we can appreciate that choices do not always have to be comfortable for us.

3 Veteran’s Superb Tips to Understand Homeschool Learning Style Differences. There is no denying that knowing homeschool learning style differences can help us make a difference in teaching. You'll love the other tried and true tips I have on my page homeschool learning styles. Too, many complicated definitions exist about learning styles. In addition, learning styles are explained in the educational world as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic to name a few. #homeschoollearningstyles

{Yes I know not glamorous. We can’t all be toasters…but}

As the teacher, it’s important to understand that children have a way they come pre-wired to learn also.

It is easier for us as adults to move out of our comfort zone or default setting to teach in a way that our child understands.

Our focus is on teaching unique individuals which are our children, not mini versions of ourselves.

2. You Must Wear the Educator Hat Too.

For the most part children want to please us.

As moms, we tend to first think that a child is acting up.

But in reality, something is wrong with the material or (clear throat here) our way of teaching (i.e. our default setting of learning clashes with child’s default setting).

Thinking like a teacher means that we try to understand what our child cannot articulate but expresses only through tears or resentment.

If a child is analytical we can ask questions like: Is the material below their level or do we really need to repeat it over and over?

Is the material too overwhelming with details for a wiggly child or does it not have enough details for a child who thrives on details?

3.Appreciate differences.

Instead of deciding that one curriculum by one provider meets the needs of all our children, we can use different curriculum for each child.

We value that right brain and left brain children can learn together under one roof and that both sides of the brain work together.

Embracing differences motivates us to choose three different math programs, if necessary, and if it meets the needs of each child.

It makes us move out of our comfort zone as a teacher and appreciate the strength and gifts of each child.

Learning styles are not exact sciences, they are just another tool to help us grow to learn how our children learn.

Being conscientious about not putting labels on our children is important.

However, balance is also needed.

Helping our child to understand why he is strong in some subjects and perhaps weaker in other areas equips him to embrace ways of tackling tough subjects.

It helps us, as educators, to discover the uniqueness of each child and nurture it.

Have you helped your child to discover his riches?

Why Your Child’s Learning Personality is Important

Because teaching styles are only part of choosing curriculum easily, I’ve included a link to my online course Identifying Your Homeschooled Childs Learning Personality.

How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child? Determining the best learning style approach is much easier when you know about homeschool learning styles. A learning style is not something I thought about when I started homeschooling or even when my kids were struggling. However, had I taken time to learn what is the best learning style for each of my children, I would have saved myself unnecessary stress.

YOU WILL LEARN:

How to understand the way your child prefers to learn so that you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning;
How to pinpoint your child’s learning personality;
A starting point in understanding (barring any special learning challenges or disabilities) and accepting your child’s preferred way of taking in information;
Understanding when the learning personality emerges; and
Teaching tips for each learning personality to stop the head-butting.

Other Homeschool Learning Style Resources

How to Easily Match the Homeschool Classical Approach With Learning Style

November 6, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’m showing you how to easily match the homeschool classical approach with Homeschool Learning Styles.

And knowing that a classical approach is where families put emphasis on learning from ancient minds of the past allows you make the right choice for your family.

How to Easily Match the Homeschool Classical Approach With Learning Style

Further, here are some characteristics of the classical approach.

Look at four characteristic of the classical approach are

There is a heavy emphasis on learning ancient languages like Greek and Latin.
Language arts is a main subject.
History is learned chronologically.
Too, education focused on history of the Western Civilization.

What is a Classical Approach

I’ve read and used many definitions of what is a classical education through the years.

However, simple definitions are best.

And one simple definition of classical education is that it’s not image focused but language focused.

Much time is spent on communication of words, both oral and written.

In addition learning is patterned after the way a child’s mind matures and is divided into 3 stages.

The first stage is the elementary stage which is called the grammar stage. Kids this age love learning rules and lists.

And the second stage which is middle school is called the logic stage. At this age, children start to think more analytically.

Last, the third stage which is high school is called the rhetoric stage where children learn to write with originality.

Additionally, one of the best books I’ve read about classical education is The Well-Trained Mind.

How to Match Learning Style with the Classical Approach

As you can see, if you want your kids to have intensive language arts focus then you want to follow the classical approach.

However, matching learning styles to classical approach is not as easy.

As the parents we may have goals, but the way our child learns may be different.

For example, if you child learn better by images, then you may only be able to incorporate certain parts of the classical approach.

In addition, children who have a learning style of learning through hands-on may not do well with classical education.

The classical education approach does not tout a hands-on learning style approach.

For example, a child who is very book-ish will flourish with classical education.

Children who love words and language arts focus on writing and reading as subjects without being prompted.

However, it’s important to know what is your child’s learning style.

Why Your Child’s Learning Personality is Important

Because teaching styles are only part of choosing curriculum easily, I’ve included a link to my online course Identifying Your Homeschooled Child’s Learning Personality.

YOU WILL LEARN:

How to understand the way your child prefers to learn so that you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning;
How to pinpoint your child’s learning personality;
A starting point in understanding (barring any special learning challenges or disabilities) and accepting your child’s preferred way of taking in information;
Understanding when the learning personality emerges; and
Teaching tips for each learning personality to stop the head-butting.

Other Homeschool Learning Style Resources

6 Easy Ways to Identify the Charlotte Mason Homeschool Style

October 22, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Six ways to identify the Charlotte Mason homeschool style is important to understanding homeschool learning styles

Because you want to align homeschool learning styles approach with how your children learn best, you need to know the basics of each homeschool approach.

Not only do you want to identify characteristics of the Charlotte Mason homeschool style but identifying Charlotte Mason curriculum, you make better choices for your family.

6 Easy Ways to Identify the Charlotte Mason Homeschool Style

First, you need to understand that learning differences is a good thing.

I’ve helped many homeschoolers who think something is wrong with their child.

The point is folks are different from each other and so are our kids.

I’m a firm believer in finding the homeschool style to match your child’s temperament and most important his learning style and needs.

Charlotte Mason Approach

Let’s dive into looking at the Charlotte Mason homeschool style of teaching.

Who was Charlotte Mason

First, you need to understand who was Charlotte Mason.

Charlotte Mason was a turn-of-the-century British educator who used “living books” rather than textbooks or twaddle.

She encouraged curriculum which includes nature study, picture study, music study, and handicrafts and the normal academic subjects.

Here are 6 ways to identify characteristics of a Charlotte Mason homeschool approach.

A gentle approach to language arts.
There is emphasis on the arts, music, and nature.
Learning should include forming lifelong habits.
More time should be spent outdoors.
Literature based learning is one foundation.
Poetry is important.

The mother who takes pains to endow her children with good habits secures for herself smooth and easy days.
— Charlotte Mason

Also, you’ll love this book Laying Down the Rails: A Charlotte Mason Habits.

Why Your Child’s Learning Personality is Important

Because teaching styles are only part of choosing curriculum easily, I’ve included a link to my online course Identifying Your Homeschooled Child’s Learning Personality.

YOU WILL LEARN:

How to understand the way your child prefers to learn so that you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning;
How to pinpoint your child’s learning personality;
A starting point in understanding (barring any special learning challenges or disabilities) and accepting your child’s preferred way of taking in information;
Understanding when the learning personality emerges; and
Teaching tips for each learning personality to stop the head-butting.

Other Homeschool Learning Style Resources

In addition, look at these other Charlotte Mason resources:

Charlotte Mason Resources

How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child?

October 15, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Determining the best learning style approach is much easier when you know about homeschool learning styles.

A learning style is not something I thought about when I started homeschooling or even when my kids were struggling.

However, had I taken time to learn what is the best learning style for each of my children, I would have saved myself unnecessary stress.

How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child?

And although a lot of resources exist about learning styles, I like simple explanations.

Instead of using the technical terms in the educational world, I find using the term learning personality is more beneficial.

It’s easy to understand that each child has a different personality and it affects how and what they learn.

Some children are more language arts focus, others more craft focus, and still others relationship focus.

Styles of Homeschooling

For example, when I started homeschooling, I used only a workbook approach. It’s the only learning style I knew from my experience in public school.

However, as I homeschooled longer, I researched the other learning style approaches besides just workbook approach.

The other four approaches besides workbook approach are

the Unit Study approach,
Classical approach,
Unschooling approach and
Charlotte Mason approach.

Determining which learning style works for your family helps you to choose curriculum that works for your family.

Look at these questions which will help you to determine the best homeschool approach for your family.

Do your child learn best by doing? Charlotte Mason, the Unschooling and Unit Study approach all focus on hands-on activities. Of course the topics you study about will be applicable, but each of these approaches advocates hands-on learning.
Are you wanting your children to model great minds of the past? Then you’ll want to learn about the Classical approach.
If your child prefers to stay on topic and you want to cover all school subjects through the one topic then research a Unit Study approach.
Some families prefer that learning is child-led and the parent is only the facilitator. Then research the Unschooling approach.
Maybe you live in a state where strict record keeping is necessary. Then, can you combine a workbook approach which makes test taking and record keeping easier with another approach loved by your family.

Why Your Child’s Learning Personality is Important Too

Because teaching styles are only part of choosing curriculum easily, I’ve included a link to my online course Identifying Your Homeschooled Child’s Learning Personality.

YOU WILL LEARN:

How to understand the way your child prefers to learn so that you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning;
How to pinpoint your child’s learning personality;
A starting point in understanding (barring any special learning challenges or disabilities) and accepting your child’s preferred way of taking in information;
Understanding when the learning personality emerges; and
Teaching tips for each learning personality to stop the head-butting.

Other Homeschool Learning Style Resources:

What Are the Homeschool Top Main 5 Learning Styles

October 8, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Knowing what are the homeschool main 5 learning styles is essential to success in knowing homeschool learning styles.

There are more learning styles, but today I’m focusing only on the top 5 homeschool learning styles.

Besides, understanding how a child learns is one of the best things we can do to empower kids to learn.

What Are the Homeschool Top Main 5 Learning Styles

Kids are born with an incredible desires to learn.

And we’re homeschooling because we want to be the best coach in helping our children understand themselves.

Most of us have either struggled with the way a teacher teachers or one or more subjects.

Barring the fact a special need exists, we could even think we may have a learning disability.

Worst yet, we may infer by our actions to our children that they may have a learning problem.

Styles of Homeschooling

It’s important to know the difference between preferences in learning style and special needs.

Because you are the only one to know if it’s special needs, I’m focusing on educating you about what is a learning style.

So, it’s important to understand what is a learning style or personality.

What Are the Homeschool Top Main 5 Learning Styles. Knowing what are the homeschool main 5 learning styles is essential to success in knowing how to homeschool. There are more learning styles, but today I'm focusing only on the top 5 homeschool learning styles. Besides, understanding how a child learns is one of the best things we can do to empower kids to learn. Kids are born with an incredible desires to learn. #homeschoolstyles

First, let me back up to share just a few points about the approach of the public school system.

You need to know that public school has only one way they approaching teaching your child.

And although they tout that they provide many different teaching styles, they do not.

No, I’m not going to clump all teachers together because nobody likes that done to them. There are wonderful caring public school teachers who try to focus on different approaches.

However, traditionally public school has only used one methodology and one environment.

This one size fits all obviously leaves out children who do not learn with the public school methodology.

Thinking about it, not much has changed in the public school system for abut one hundred years or since it’s institution.

Memorization and conformity are encouraged and individualism is minimized or kids receive discipline and labeled trouble makers.

Therefore, learning about homeschool learning styles will help you tap into the way your children learn best.

Besides, when you know the way your child learns best, you can choose curriculum matched to your child’s learning style.

Too, understand that homeschool approach is the best way to identify the learning style of not only you but your children.

It’s easier to identify the type of learner you have by the homeschool approach which fits your child.

Five Learning Styles or Homeschool Approaches

Look below at the 5 learning styles or homeschool approaches.

1. Unit Study Approach for Families Who Want Free Exploration

2. Workbook Approach for Families Who Want Memory Work and Workbooks

3. Classical Approach for Families Who Put Emphasis on Learning from Ancient Minds of the Past

4. Charlotte Mason Approach for Families Who Nurture a Love of Nature and Living Books

5. Unschooling Approach for Families Who Want Child-Led Learning Without Bounds

Look at these four ways to understand teaching styles.

4 Ways Understanding Homeschool Teaching Styles Makes You Successful

You can plan a successful course with your child’s strengths and weaknesses in mind;
Specific goals can be set and met because your leaner will know how to meet them;
There is individualized education; and
Your learner will be eager to learn lifelong instead of struggling with why he doesn’t understand some subjects as well as he does others.

Identifying Your Homeschooled Child’s Learning Personality

Finally, after years of putting the pieces together, I have created an online self-paced course on how to identify your homeschool child’s learning personality.

This course will give you solid beginning points and look what you will learn.

How Understanding Homeschool Teaching Styles Makes You Successful. Do you wonder why it seems like one child understands exactly what you mean when the other one seems clueless? You know it's not because that child is not trying to understand you. It can be frustrating and discouraging to feel like you're not getting your point across. So instead of focusing on trying to funnel all people to categories or labels, I focused on understanding learning personalities.

YOU WILL LEARN:

How to understand the way your child prefers to learn so that you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning;
How to pinpoint your child’s learning personality;
A starting point in understanding (barring any special learning challenges or disabilities) and accepting your child’s preferred way of taking in information;
Understanding when the learning personality emerges; and
Teaching tips for each learning personality to stop the head-butting.

Tapping into the way a child prefers to learn is essential to success.

Finally, look at some other learning styles resources below.

Determine Learning Styles

3 Veteran’s Superb Tips to Understand Homeschool Learning Style Differences

3 Tested Tips about Learning Styles