When our kids discover HOW they learn, they absolutely gain more control over their lives. They are able to demonstrate and share their strengths, boost their self-esteem, become less afraid to make mistakes and increase their capacity to solve problems in life.

Most people, so this includes our ‘kids’, have access to all three main learning styles or modalities. (visual, auditory and kinesthetic).Oh yes, there is also gustatory (taste) and olfactory (smell).

Everyone is auditory and visual, just like you have two hands. It’s just that almost all of us have a preferred learning modality.

Let’s have a quick look at the traits associated with each modality.

Does that sound OK? Does that feel alright to do it now? Yes? Thank you.

So, how does each learner learn best?

Firstly, the visual learners : They access learning through images, remembered and created ones. Colors, pictures and mental images dominate this learning style. They like to take notes and create lists. They read for information and find it easier to learn from books, movies and handouts.

With auditory learners, they access learning through sounds and words. They like to listen to a lecture. They enjoy talking aloud. They like it when they can discuss topics with others.

Whereas the kinesthetic learners like to be doing things. They want hands-on activities and prefer to move around as they are leaning.

By the way, do you have a child who can’t sit still? Or they fiddle with things? Or they rock in their chair? It’s a very good chance that he/she is a kinesthetic learner.

Oh yes, the language each of us uses is associated with our learning style.

Take the time to listen to others, and yourself, as they speak.

Do you or they say such words or phrases as:

• Sight for sore eyes…do you see what I mean?…can you get a mental picture of that? (Visual)
• Perhaps they or you uses these phrases: I hear that ….clear as a bell…tune in to this idea (Auditory)
• Or have you heard these words?…get a hold of that….does it feel good…get a handle on…(Kinesthetic)

By listening to the language you use and your child uses, you can better help your kids to become active and involved learners. Remember not to pigeon hole their learning modality because we all switch from time to time. We can also use several learning styles at once.

Can you imagine the learning problems your children have if their teachers (and also yourself) do not know your child’s preferred learning style? What if their teacher (and yourself) have a different preferred way of explaining things?

Here’s what I invite you to do now:

• Search ‘learning styles inventories‘. Identify both your learning modality and your child’s.
• Identify how your child learns best.
• How will your child need to see or hear the materials presented to them.
• What particular learning strategies can they use to help them in ALL subjects.
• What are they a natural at?
• What difficulties could they experience because of their preferred learning style?

OK, It’s Let’s Talk Time…

I invite you to follow the steps mentioned above -  identify your learning style / modality and your child’s preferred style. Research and apply the techniques that you discover so that your kids can have the best chance to achieve their potential.

I also invite you to leave a comment below and share what you are putting into action. You can do that, can’t you?

When our kids discover HOW they learn, they absolutely gain more control over their lives.

They are able to demonstrate and share their strengths, boost their self-esteem, become less afraid to make mistakes and increase their capacity to solve problems in life.

OK, what can you do NOW to develop this?

1.    Tap into your child’s learning style so they become a more active and involved learner.

Identify their preferred style (visual, auditory, kinesthetic). Then discover what activities will enhance your kid’s learning style.

2.    Discover HOW smart your kids are by meeting SLIM-N-BIL.

We are ALL intelligent in some way-Spatial, Linguistic, Interpersonal, Musical, Naturalistic, Bodily, Intrapersonal and Logical.

Each intelligence can be enhanced by specific materials, activities and special outings. When you identify their dominant intelligence/s, you will learn what they like to do, what they are good at and how they learn best.

3.    Create a supportive environment which invites and entices your kids to learn…and increase their learning retention.

Every aspect of the learning environment can affect your child’s experiences…lighting, temperature, acoustics, color, décor, seating, posters, music, aroma, plants, pets and toys.

4.    Take and make effective notes with Mind Mapping strategies to enhance your child’s success.

This information tool will increase remembering what is said or read, increase understanding and help organise material. Mind maps are colorful and have lots of pictures and symbols.

The ideas are connected and excellent for memory retention.

5.    Boost you kid’s brainpower by feeding them brain foods, plenty of water and exercise.

Proper nutrition protects the brain against toxins, improves mental alertness and assists memory.
Foods such as animal protein, nuts, legumes and seeds boost alertness.

Water is central to optimal brain functioning. Aerobic exercise improves thinking and learning.

6.    Avoid and relieve stress so your child can process and retain information they need to access more readily.

Have you ever had a person’s name ‘on the tip of your tongue’? No matter how hard you try to remember, the harder it seems to become. When you stop trying and relax, the name comes to you.

By avoiding getting stressed, you are able to stop your mind from going blank. Do some relaxation techniques, listen to music or practise yoga,maybe even T’ai Chi.

7.    Get in a state of focused concentration so your kids can learn faster and easier.

Would you like your kids to learn techniques where time goes faster, they can spend more time doing other things which they really enjoy, get better results on tests, study less, get certain people off their backs and they’ll do better in school?

Then two such techniques are called SLANT and the Alpha State…tools which will help your kids to access the best state for learning.

Here’s what I invite you to do now:

1. Search ‘learning styles‘ & ‘multiple intelligences inventories‘. Complete to identify your/ your child’s preferred style and dominant intelligence/s.
2. Research and then practise relaxation techniques, SLANT and the Alpha State.
3. Eat brain foods, exercise daily and drink 6-8 glasses of water per day.
4. Research Tony Buzan and Mind Mapping.
5. Create a learning environment.

OK, It’s Let’s Talk Time…

I invite you to let us know which of these techniques you are already using with your children? Which ones are effective and have brought about change?

Leave a comment below and share what has worked..what hasn’t …You can do that, can’t you?

“Give me a fish and I eat for a day. Teach me how to fish and I eat for a lifetime.”

Have you ever read the Aesop’s fable, “The Peasant and the Apple Tree”? The moral is that true value is sometimes hidden. Sometimes your children’s interests, their talents or their abilities are absolutely hidden … and you need to reveal them. All of us are a genius in one way or another.

OK, let’s look at 4 ways that will help you uncover those ‘hidden’ talents of your children…

1.Discover How Your Kids Learn Best

We all learn in different ways. No one way is better than the others. The three dominant learning styles we possess are visual, auditory and kinesthetic. Most often one style dominates.

Howard Gardner identified 8 different intelligences or geniuses. When kids discover HOW they are intelligent, they learn to manage their own learning and value their individual strengths. They gain more control over their lives.

Here’s what I invite you to do now:

• Research “Learning Styles” and “Multiple Intelligences” inventories.
• Complete them to discover both yours and your child’s learning style. Find out the strategies that support that style.

2. Use Color

Research shows that color is processed in that part of our brain that also stores long-term memory. When you use color to study, to take and make effective notes, your child increases their memory.

Here’s what I invite you to do now:

• Buy some colored felts. Get your kids using them when they are taking notes and making notes.
• Highlight key words in information.

3. Drink Plenty of Water – 6-8 glasses a day.

About 60% of our body is made up of water and approx. 70% of your brain. Water lessens headaches and stress, and increases concentration, focus and tiredness.

Here’s what I invite you to do now:

• Drink 6-8 glasses a day.
• Keep a container of water beside you when you are studying, especially when you are doing exams. Actually, have a drink now before you continue reading this valuable article.

4. Eat Brain Foods Throughout the Day.

Research tells us that our blood sugar cycles about every hour for teens, 45 minutes for kids, 90 minutes for adults. So, what does this mean? When your blood sugar is low, learning is difficult. Our brains require a steady flow of oxygenated blood and a steady supply of blood sugar. Proper nutrition protects the brain against toxins, improves mental alertness and assists memory.

Here’s what I invite you to do now:

• Eat brain foods every hour and include water rich foods such as lettuce and broccoli.
• Have small meals often.

When our kids know their preferred learning style and their dominant ‘intelligences’, they become more active and involved learners. Then, they are able to demonstrate and share their strengths, increase their self-esteem, become less afraid to make mistakes and increase their capacity to solve problems in life.

Remember: “Work SMARTER, not harder!”

Alright, it’s Let’s Talk time..

Parents, YOU know that you are absolutely THE MOST IMPORTANT person for mentoring and raising your smart rich kid. That’s right, isn’t it?…So, would you let anyone else take that right away from you? Obviously “NO!”

Oh yes, at the bottom of this post, I invite you to comment, to add what you do or would do to raise a smart rich kid.

Ok, let’s take a closer look at this ‘Step’ in today’s post.

You’ll discover what you can do to prepare your child for a life of abundance, happiness and success.

Step 1. “If You (And Your Child) Discover The ‘Genius’ That Is Already In Them (and Yourself), Then You’ll Unleash Their Potential And Yours As Well”

Kids (and parents) who know their preferred learning style and their dominant ‘intelligences’, become more active and involved learners.

They are then able to demonstrate and share their strengths, increase their self-esteem, become less afraid to make mistakes and increase their capacity to solve problems in life.

Imagine how different their lives would be!

Does that look good? What about how they would feel about themselves? Can you see your child living such a life?

Here’s what I invite you to do now:

• Identify your preferred learning style and discover your dominant intelligence.
• Google “Leaning Styles” and “Multiple Intelligences” and then complete an inventory.

Let’s Talk…

Do you know your child’s preferred learning style and dominant intelligence? How do you make use of this?

I would love to hear about your experiences, and you can do this. Just click on the Comments link