How to Figure Out What Learning Style Your Child Has
When you are jumping into homeschooling one thing that you can learn that can make the entire process 1000x times smoother is how to figure out what learning style your child has. Different people learn better in different ways. If you aren’t fighting how their brains learn best and instead learn to work with their specific learning styles, that’s where the magic (and hours more of sanity) can really happen.
What is a Learning Style and Why it Matters When Homeschooling
If there’s one thing over a decade of homeschooling has taught me, it’s this: no two kids learn the same way. Not even close. What makes perfect sense to one child can be absolutely baffling to another. And sometimes, even within the same child, how they learn best changes depending on the subject.
I have a logical, math-minded brain. Math just is to me. It’s like a puzzle—clean, clear, and satisfying. So imagine my surprise (and frustration) when my eldest child absolutely could not grasp math the way I taught it, even when I would teach her a handful of ways to do the same thing to search for what clicked.
We tried everything. Different curriculums, colorful math games, songs, flashcards, manipulatives, and even totally switching up my teaching style.
And it still took a solid two years to really figure out what worked for her.
But once we did? It clicked. We homeschooled her through 8th grade with passing grades and even solid scores on our state standardized tests. When she finalyl switched into public school for the last couple months of 8th grade she was ahead and got straight A’s. (Homeschooling mom win and major sigh of relief there.)
I finally learned that figuring out how each child learns best is the golden key to making homeschool smoother and more successful.
So if you’re feeling stuck, frustrated, or worried that something just isn’t working—pause. Because it might not be the curriculum. It might not be your knowledge or teaching ability. It might just be time to figure out what learning style your child has.
Why Learning Styles Matter (More Than You Might Think)
Every child (and adult) processes information differently. And while no label will ever completely define your child, understanding their preferred learning style is an incredibly useful tool.
Some kids need to see it to get it. Others need to hear it, do it, move with it, or even teach it back to you to make it stick. And knowing which of those your child leans toward can save you countless hours of trial and error, not to mention a few tears (for both of you).
Think about it… can you learn visually? Can you personally watch someone work through something and then grasp and apply it yourself? My husband can. He can watch a tennis tournament and learn a new technique and then grab his racket and already do it. He can learn the concept in his mind from watching.
Me… nope. I need to physically do it with my own body. If that’s spelling something or a math problem I’m going to be writing it in the air, scribbling notes, or visualizing it happening (or probably all). I need to do it myself for it to click.
Your kids are no different. So let’s break down learning styles and how to figure them out!
The Main Types of Learning Styles
There are four core learning styles that most people will fall into. Of course, some kids are a blend of two or even all of them, but usually one style stands out as their favorite way to learn.
Visual Learners
These kids learn best by seeing.
They love charts, diagrams, pictures, color-coded notes, and videos. If your child remembers something better when it’s written down or drawn out, they might be a visual learner.
Strengths:
- Great at puzzles, drawing, or visualizing ideas
- Enjoys picture books or illustrated instructions
Struggles with:
- Long verbal explanations
- Following directions without a visual aid
Try this:
Use color-coded math problems, watch educational videos, or draw out science concepts.
Auditory Learners
These kids learn best by hearing.
They remember what you say, love being read to, and often enjoy music or talking things out. If your child hums tunes all day or talks to themselves while working, auditory might be their thing.
Strengths:
- Good memory for songs, poems, and verbal instructions
- Likes group discussions or storytelling
Struggles with:
- Worksheets with lots of reading
- Written-only instructions
Try this:
Use audiobooks, explain concepts out loud, or let them talk through problems with you.
Kinesthetic Learners
These kids learn by doing.
They need movement, hands-on activities, and real-life experiences to absorb information. This is me, hands down, in all of life… I need to do it to learn. These are the kids who cannot sit still during a lecture but thrive with hands-on experiments.
Strengths:
- Excels in physical activities, crafts, and building things
- Learns best through trial and error
Struggles with:
- Sitting still for long periods
- Absorbing info through lectures or books alone
Try this:
Incorporate movement into learning (like jumping while spelling), use manipulatives for math, or take learning outside.
Reading/Writing Learners
These kids learn best through written words.
They love reading and writing, taking notes, and making lists. If your child writes stories for fun or devours books, this may be their primary style.
Strengths:
- Great at taking notes and studying independently
- Enjoys reading instructions and writing responses
Struggles with:
- Group activities or lots of noise
- Abstract, hands-on activities without written directions
Try this:
Give them notebooks to record their learning, assign written projects, or let them read about a topic before discussing it.
How Do I Figure Out What Type of Learning Style My Child Is?
You’ve probably already started to notice some patterns in how your child interacts with the world. Do they doodle while listening? Hum a lot? Act things out? Ask for demonstrations?
But if you’re still unsure, here are a few simple ways to get clarity:
1. Watch and Take Notes
Over the next week or two, observe your child during different subjects. What are they doing when they’re most engaged? When do they seem frustrated or distracted?
Make a quick note of:
- What learning tools they seem to enjoy
- What types of explanations click best
- What subjects they thrive or struggle with
You’ll start to see patterns.
2. Take a Learning Style Quiz
There are some great free quizzes online that can help identify your child’s learning style. Here are a few to try:
- Learning Style Quiz
- The VARK Learning Style Questionnaire
- Homeschool On Learning Style Quiz for Kids
Or, try this quick homemade version:
Ask your child:
- Do you remember things better when you see them, hear them, or do them?
- Would you rather read about something or watch a video?
- Do you like writing things down or talking them out?
Their answers will likely at least point you in the right direction.
3. Try Teaching the Same Topic Three Different Ways
Pick a simple topic—like a math concept or a history fact—and teach it three different ways:
- Visually (with a chart or diagram)
- Verbally (explaining it out loud)
- Kinesthetically (with an activity or game)
Then ask: which version did they like best? Which one made the most sense?
This hands-on test can be super revealing. Do it a few times with different subjects. Typically, people tend to learn mostly toward one learning style all the time, but sometimes other ones may work well too especially for more boring subjects.
Figure Out What Type of Learning Style My Child Is—and Homeschool Becomes So Much Easier
I know it can be frustrating when a subject just doesn’t click for your child. You feel like you’ve tried everything, and nothing’s working. I’ve been there.
But once I figured out my daughter’s learning style, it was like unlocking a door. I stopped feeling like I had to change the subject or the curriculum every three months. Instead, I just changed how I presented the information.
And it worked.
I had this figured out by the time my next daughter was ready to start school (all my kiddos are 5 years apart so I had a while lol). It has really helped me adapt learning to each individual kid because they DO NOT all learn the same way!
Understanding your child’s learning style doesn’t mean you’ll never face a tough day again (because, let’s be honest, you will). But it does mean you’ll be better equipped to handle those challenges with confidence.
So if you’re still wondering, “How do I figure out what type of learning style my child is?”—you’re already asking the right question. And you’re already on the path to a more peaceful and productive homeschool experience.
You’ve got this.
