1. 1 Family Network on Disabilities of Florida, Inc. 2735 Whitney Road Clearwater, Florida 33760 Phone: (727) 523-1130 Toll free: (800) 825-8687 E-mail: pirc@fndfl.orgpirc@fndfl.org Website: www.fndfl.org Understanding Your Child’s Learning Style

2. 2 Goal: To create an awareness of learning styles

3. 3 Objective: To provide parents with strategies on how to address each learning style

4. 4 Understanding Your Child’s Learning Style - Agenda  What is a learning style?  Overview of each of the four dominant learning styles  How to determine learning styles  How to set up a study area for each learning style  Activities to do for each learning style  Parenting styles

5. 5 Why should I care about learning styles?  The way a child learns affects his/her entire personality and development.  Understanding a child’s learning style will help parents and children to better communicate.  By knowing a child’s learning style, parents are better able to help at home and at school.

6. 6 What is a learning style?  A learning style is… –a way to take in and process information –a preference that gets stronger the more it is used –the way the mind operates –the way we learn!

7. 7 Sensing Thinking Learner (ST)  Likes: –Immediate responses and feedback –Details and sequential order –Hands-on activities with a specific, correct answer –Clear, concise, step-by-step directions –Knowing exact expectations; why something has to be done, and how well it is to be done –Drill and practice

8. 8 Intuitive Thinking Learner (NT)  Likes: –Planning and organizing before working –Working independently –Analyzing and examining pros and cons –Arguing and debating –Thinking about ideas and how they are related –Finding/designing a new way to do something –Logical and strategic games

9. 9 Intuitive Feeling Learner (NF)  Likes: –Learning without time constraints –Praise for personal ideas and insights –Using creativity and imagination –Open-ended activities with many possibilities –Working on many things at once –Self-expression and self-discovery –Creative and artistic activities

10. 10 Sensing Feeling Learner (SF)  Likes: –Getting personal attention and praise –Sharing feelings and experiences –Working in groups and being part of a team –Having someone show how to do something –Role-playing and personal expression –Non-competitive games where no one loses –Interpersonal activities; opportunities to learn about himself/herself

11. 11 What is your child’s learning style? Sensing Thinking (ST) Intuitive Thinking (NT) Intuitive Feeling (NF) Sensing Feeling (SF)

12. 12 Sensing Thinking At Home:  Workbook pages  Making things that can be used at school  Chores and activities that are very clear, detailed, and step-by-step  Re-telling stories  Reading non-fiction books  Having an organized work space  Immediate, specific praise

13. 13 Intuitive Thinking At Home:  Explaining preferences and how things work  Collecting, analyzing, and evaluating things  Working alone on chosen activities  Puzzles, logic problems, brain teasers  Mystery, history, and science games and books  Debating and arguing open-ended topics  Figuring out cause and effect

14. 14 Intuitive Feeling At Home:  Expression through art  How to improve something  Having a lot of items/resources to use  Science fiction, fantasy, and artistic games and books  Drama, plays, songs  Flexible time schedules and choices  Discussing personal and social topics

15. 15 Sensing Feeling At Home:  Sharing and talking about personal experiences; role playing  Helping and taking care of others, pets, siblings  Being and working with others  Interpersonal, dramatic books, games, and plays  Art and other creative activities  Harmonious, compassionate environment  Journals and diaries

16. 16 Questions:  Sensing Thinking (ST): WHAT?  Intuitive Thinking (NT): WHY?  Intuitive Feeling (NF): WHAT IF?  Sensing Feeling (SF): WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

17. 17 Sensing Thinking (ST) Parents  Feel responsible for keeping family focused  Feel they need to make the rules and routines for the family to follow  Have strong security needs for the family  Are family-oriented and expect others to uphold family traditions  Want others to view them as good parents  Show that they love their family by doing things for them

18. 18 Intuitive Thinking (NT) Parents  Want their children to want to learn  Set goals for future learning and improvement  Communicate with family clearly and concisely  At times may use constructive criticism instead of praise  Expect logical and rational responses from family  Want family to try to achieve the same high expectations they set for themselves

19. 19 Intuitive Feeling (NF) Parents  Do not feel there is any one “right” parenting style  Use humor when dealing with conflict  Do not mind others helping with family issues  Are active and have fun with family  Try new, innovative ways to solve problems  Feel children should do well in whatever they attempt to do  Encourage children to be adventurous

20. 20 Sensing Feeling (SF) Parents  Put the needs of the family before their own  Want a happy, warm home environment  Enjoy family gatherings and functions  Try to avoid conflict and competition  May be inconsistent with rules and discipline  Focus on what makes the family happy instead of what may need to be done  Strive for open, personal communication among family members

21. 21 In A Nutshell…  No one learning style is better than another.  We all have characteristics of each learning style; some characteristics are just stronger than others.  Learning about each style will help us to better understand and communicate with our children.  Knowing about each learning style and exposing your child to them will help your child be better able to communicate with others. Don’t forget to complete our online survey on the last slide!

22. 22 Thank you! Please click on the link below to take a short online survey. Type in your password: learningstyles Parent Survey: insert link here Educator Survey: insert link here

23. 23 Please Complete Evaluation For more information contact: 2735 Whitney Road Clearwater, Florida 33760 Office: 727-523-1130 or 800-825-5736 Fax: 727-523-8687 www.fndfl.org