Learning Styles

C.,

You sound like you probably already know his learning style but maybe haven't defined it as such. You sound like you are together a lot and you know what his likes and dislikes are. I just went on ask.com and searched learning styles, lots of stuff to research could be a place to start.

http://www.lessontutor.com/sm1.html

This place explains the differences. It may help you.

Hi, I was just wondering if you knew about the Holistic Mom group here in West Hartford. I am a member and we have lots of parents doing home schooling. My child is almost 4 and I am going to home school. I am not really looking into anything just of yet but we currently do things that I see he is interested in and he loves activity books. So for now that is it. But I have talked to others and know I have some wonderful resources.

So I just wanted to let you know about the group in case it is something you want to check out or maybe you have already. You can find out more by visiting the national website: www.holisticmoms.org and then you can click on chapters and find the Hartford chapter or if you want more info let me know and I will forward you contact info for our group leader.

W. G

If you look online for the Theory of Multiple Intelligence (Howard Gardner), you can find explanations of different learning styles. Here's a start: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/education/ed_mi_resources.html

There are many websites that also have interactive quizzes to help you figure out what MIs a child is. Good luck!

This isn't really answering your question; it looks like you have some good advice already. I just wanted to respond to the comment about being a "trained teacher." You do not need to be a "trained teacher" to homeschool. I happen to be a "trained teacher" and believe me, it has nothing to do with educating a child. The fact that you are aware of and responsive to different learning styles puts you way ahead of the game already. The most important things I have found about homeschooling are 1: knowing your child(ren)and 2: finding a network of families that you are compatible with. It sounds like you are already halfway there.

J. (-:

I've found that simply observing what your child does clues you in. Example, my eldest can't handle being told more than two things to do unless she's given a list. She loves to draw, color, she loves charts to follow and check lists. To me, this is a visually oriented learner. My second is constantly listening to the radio (books on tapes, music, etc.) When she's not listening to something, she's making her own noise. This kid is definitely auditory. However, that's not to say that they don't have characteristics of other styles. A book that really helps is "The Way They Learn" by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias.

We homeschool our oldest three (there's five in all) because we can tailor the education to each child's learning style. They are also able to learn at their own pace without being labled. We can also stress those values that are important to us that we feel the public schools don't stress.
Books that helped me here are anything by John Holt, Raymond & Dorothy Moore and Family Matters by David Guterson (a high school English teacher).

I would start with Montessori preschool both for his age and your "style".It is child directed, natural and really go with where he is at as well as provide him with both structure and social experiences only found in the school setting. That will help you identify his learning style to make the best choices for him in the furture. There are lots out there! Good luck!

C.,

Sounds like your hitting all the basics. My best advice is to talk to mom's that are attending the private schools. I actually schedule my tours of private schools to coincide with release times. Get out there and ask the moms huddled outside the doors what they like and dislike. The school will show you only what they want you to see. You need to ask what the cost per pupil expenditure is. Know what kind of learning style their teaching and the atmosphere of the classes . What kind of reinforcements are used at the class level for kindly behavior. How do they handle children that are exceptional and need to be challenged. Do they practice differentiated learning. How exactly do they cater to each childs academic need. I thought of home schooling. Many of the mothers I met at the park during the day were home schooling their children. My husband and I agreed that a more daily social interaction was needed for the personalities of our children. They crave the stimulation of their peers. Good luck with your search. ~jo

Hi C.,

Lots of great ideas. You might also want to look at books by Mel Levine.

V. S.

At the age of 4, children have very differentiated modes of learning. If you homeschool him, I assume you are deciding on Kindergarten homeschooling, you would want to make sure you read up on differentiated instruction.
Here you would make sure there are many avenues for him to explore to find his best fit for learning the material at hand ie: singing, dancing, clay, drawing, recitation, technology (a movie, webquest etc).

I believe though if you yourself are trying to figure out whether to homeschool or send him to formal schooling, you should research for yourself the work involved that will give him the best education, especially if you are not a trained teacher.

I'd say home schooling would probably be the best for your family. The issues surrounding the choices in your family lifestyle would be extremely demanding for any teacher first of all. It sounds like you would like to stay pretty attached to your child for a while also so home schooling would be best. Just make sure you find some play groups for social interactions with peers.

Hi C.~ We're in a very similiar situation, trying to determine if we'll be sending our 4 year old son to kinder next year. We're also an attachment parenting, extended breastfeeding and alternative health care family. We researched private schools in our area, talked to other moms and went on a number of parent visits in January. At each school, we tried to imagine our son in the environment and found ourselves with two schools we could see him enjoying. However, we're still trying to decide whether school at all is the right choice for him--we're very interested in homeschooling. So I'm not necessarily writing with anything helpful, just an awareness that their are other moms in the same situation! Blessings & good luck. I think all we can do is follow our instincts.

Nursery Rhymes plays an important role in children learning. The rhyming words and soothing background music amuses the children to learn and sing along. It enables the child to learn and speak new words when growing up. In today’s world where the technology surrounds us and almost every important aspect of our life is linked with technology, there are also Nursery Rhymes that are available in smartphone applications.
Here is a beautiful animated nursery rhyme application for children to enjoy and learn.

Link ---> https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobilet...

Hi C. ~
I have six kids, 4 boys and 2 girls (ages 3 to 14), and they are all homeschooled. When my boys were little, I delved into tons of research on learning styles, how boys learn, multiple intelligences and other emerging data and coming out of Harvard and elsewhere, facing the same questions and wanting to honor their unique wiring. I'd encourage you to read Armstrong's, "In Their Own Way," as well as anything by John Holt, including "How Children Learn" and "How Children Fail" and "Learning All the Time."
I am also affiliated with the Learning Success Institute in California,http://www.learningsuccessinstitute.com/cmd.php?af=781933 and would encourage you to check out their site and resources, including the "Self Portrait" learning style profile tool http://www.aselfportraitonline.net/store/default.asp?prom..., which incorporates Talents, Interests, Modalities, Environment and Disposition (though geared for 8yrs +). For a very reasonable fee, they also offer a "hybrid" education solution, where you in effect register your son with their "private school," but teach from your home. The founders are experienced educators (read their bios) and help you with building a customized, creative curriculum to match your child's unique learning style, while meeting state requirements.
Also, check out also the encouraging movement spearheaded by Jenifer Fox, www.strengthsmovement.com and her recently released breakthrough book, "Your Child's Strengths."
I'm sure these will help as you seek to bring out the best in your son. Thankfully, schools are catching on too, which you'll see in the Strengths movement. Fuel the progress - forward the links to others!
best ~
S.