Parenting the Whole ChildLuke 2:52 “And Jesus increased in WISDOM and in stature and
in favor with God and man.”
Mark 12:30 “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Our last discussion regarded Mordecai’s role in Esther’s life as she grew in wisdom. This month, we will learn to recognize and understand our children’s primary learning modality so we can guide them as they also grow in wisdom. Learning Modality:
The sensory channel (visual, auditory, tactile and kinesthetic)
through which individuals give, receive and store information |
| VISUAL LEARNER | Learns through observation
Finds demonstrations helpful
Reads books
Enhances memory with pictures | Distracted by too much to look at
Needs help focusing
Sidetracked by movement or action | | In parenting, when giving instructions to a visual learner, make sure you have eye contact and get a clear, undistracted “yes Mom.” This will go a long way in achieving obedience and personal responsibility. |
| AUDITORY LEARNER | Needs clear verbal instruction
Finds role-playing helpful
Enjoys music while working | Distracted by extra sounds
May not enjoy reading silently | | In parenting, make sure the auditory learner listens carefully to your instructions. Have the child repeat them to you out loud. Spend time reading aloud together for fun. |
| TACTILE LEARNER | Takes notes when learning
Enjoys crafty projects
Learns by feeling | Writing on paper may be tedious
May not be a good speller
Tends to fidget with finger gadgets | | In parenting, help this child develop better visual and auditory skills, which are important. When teaching a new concept or giving instructions, try working at these new skills in short increments and then allow the child to go back to his or her strength. For example, Mom would say; “You need to write a short note to Daddy first, and then you can draw a picture.” |
| KINISTHETIC LEARNER | Learns best while moving
Benefits from hands-on experience
Prefers to walk while studying | Needs help sitting still
May not bother with reading directions | | In parenting, when giving instructions to this child, make sure he or she stays still and provides good eye contact. “Catch” this child in moments of stillness and use words of encouragement such as, “Good job, your legs are still,” or “You are using your “self-control hands.” Catching them doing the right thing, or teaching them to fold their hands when they are struggling, reinforces the teaching of “self-control,” a skill they will need throughout life. |
If you are not sure what your child’s learning style is, watch them as they play or do schoolwork. Each one of us has a modality in which we excel. It is our job to strengthen what is strong, and to stretch what is weaker. As we observe their skill sets and traits, we can add to the framework that has been laid. Knowing your child’s learning modality is important, just like knowing their temperament and love language, because collectively, they help you wisely train each child in the way he or she should go. Ultimately we need to teach our children to be able to function in all modalities because no matter their learning style, they will be faced with dilemmas that come their way. Parenting the whole child will enable your child to grow in wisdom and prepare them for the world waiting for their unique gifts. Our May CMC will explore “loving God with all your strength” and the correlation of a child “growing in stature” (physical growth). |
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