1. Children’s Learning Styles Jim Rhodes NW District 4-H Youth Development Program Specialist September 2013

2. Learning Styles?? Term that refers to different ways we learn, process and retain information. Children learn through: meaningful hands-on experiences. touching, doing and moving seeing and hearing

3. Preferred Styles Test your style – As you hear the following word do you visualize the object, or hear or smell the object? – Dog – Cow – Chocolate Chip Cookie

4. Types of Styles Visual – learn through seeing Auditory – learn through hearing Tactile – learn through touch Kinesthetic – learn through doing and moving

5. 4-H Projects 4-H projects teach through a variety of learning styles. – Food and Nutrition Projects – Livestock Projects – Shooting Sports – Arts and Crafts

6. 4-H Project Learning Steps Generally, we visually have an example of what the end project looks like. We talk to the youth, explain the steps of completing the project. Educate about project safety, objectives, and steps in completing. We let the kids touch, i.e., measure ingredients, mix the ingredients, cook the food, wash the livestock project, feed the project, show the project …

7. Doing the project Very important to learn through doing. Important for the youth to have the opportunity to make an “imperfect” project. Youth learn more by doing an “imperfect” project than watching someone else make a “perfect” project. Very important to encourage youth to develop new strengths by trying different learning styles. Encourage listening, hands-on, doing, moving, etc.

8. Visual Learners Tend to observe a parent’s or teacher’s body language and facial expressions. Tend to have well-developed imaginations. Too much movement may distract them. Written instructions may help clarify verbal instructions. 40% of secondary student learn best in this style.

9. Auditory Learners Learn through listening. Learn through participating and talking things through. Verbal directions help clarify instructions or written information. Too much noise may be distracting. May learn best in a quiet environment. 10 % secondary student learn best in this style. 80% of learning is taught using lecture.

10. Tactile Learners Learn through touch. Learners will prefer activities or projects that let them use their hands. May prefer doodling or drawing to aid memory.

11. Kinesthetic Learners Learn through moving and doing. Learn through physical sensations and may have trouble sitting still for long periods. Hands-on approach works best for these youth. 50 % of secondary student learn in this style.

12. 4-H Ramifications 4-H activities need to : involve hands-on learning activities. incorporate auditory instructions, written instructions, and finished examples. Be aware of learning styles if you see a 4-H member not catching on. Be prepared to give instructions in more than one way to accommodate various learning styles.

13. School Ramifications If your child is having trouble in a class, ask for help in determining their learning style. Have a discussion with their teacher on how you, as parent can help present the information in a different style.

14. Resources: – Learning Styles – Helping Children Succeed in School – University of Illinois Extension – Children’s Learning Styles – www.AbilityPath.org www.AbilityPath.org