Visual Learners

Visual learners acquire information best by seeing it. Student who benefit from this are good at remembering people's faces but not their names. These children may also think in pictures and learn best from visual displays. Dr. Melanie Hartgill, educational psychologist says using illustrations, diagrams, flipcharts, overhead transparencies and video will help visual learners grasp concepts quickly. Teachers can identify visual learners by those children who like to read quietly and often observe rather than talking. Hartgill also identifies these children by their ability to close their eyes and recall information or spelling. A final key method to teach visual learners is to have them memorize what they have seen.

Tactile Learners

Tactile learners are also called kinesthetic learners. Hartgill differentiates these children from visual learners by seeing which do not sit still for long periods of time. They are typically good at sports and physical activities. Children who are tactile learners may tap their pen or pencil when working, touch people when in conversation or study with loud music on.

Hartgill also identifies tactile learners by those who enjoy taking breaks when studying and children who are fidgety in the classroom. A suggested study method for a tactile learner is to study in short blocks. Encourage this type of learner to take frequent breaks. Role-playing is another suggested method for teaching a tactile learner. This will help the child remember information based on the performance. Hartgill also recommends writing while reading or talking. The act of writing keeps the tactile learner engaged for longer while reading.

Auditory Learners

Auditory learners gather information best by repetition. These children like to read aloud and are generally not afraid to speak in class. The LearnPlus website says repetition is the best practice for learning. Listening to the voice helps reinforce knowledge. Children who are auditory learners should practice reciting information to themselves before an exam. These learners can also teach themselves to complete a task by reciting instructions aloud. Use words along with actions and pictures to help children who learn by auditory methods. For example, Brainy-Child suggests parents teaching young children to say, "These are your fingers," while touching the child's fingers. The child will remember the audible words and associate them with fingers.