Introduction
Every student is unique, and this includes the way they learn. Recognizing and understanding individual learning styles can greatly impact a student’s success and confidence in their learning journey. This blog post will discuss the four most popular learning styles: visual, auditory, reading or writing, and kinesthetic. By incorporating the principles of Social-Emotional Learning, we can help students develop self-awareness and adapt their learning strategies for better outcomes.
No-Prep Activity: Learning Style Bingo
This simple activity allows students to identify their own learning preferences and discover the learning styles of their classmates. To begin, have students form a circle. The educator will start by calling out a learning style (visual, auditory, reading or writing, or kinesthetic). Students who identify with the called-out learning style will raise their hands. The educator will then ask a student to share an example of how they use that learning style. Continue the game until all learning styles have been called out and discussed.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important to understand your own learning style?
- How can knowing your learning style help you become a more confident learner?
- How can you adapt your learning strategies to better suit your learning style?
- Do you think it’s possible to have more than one learning style? Why or why not?
- How can you support your classmates who have different learning styles?
Related Skills
Understanding learning styles is just one aspect of Social-Emotional Learning. Other relevant skills that can help students succeed include:
- Self-awareness: Recognizing one’s own emotions, strengths, and weaknesses.
- Self-management: Managing emotions and behaviors to achieve goals.
- Social awareness: Understanding the perspectives of others and showing empathy.
- Relationship skills: Building and maintaining healthy relationships with others.
- Responsible decision-making: Making choices that are good for oneself and others.
Next Steps
Now that you have a better understanding of the importance of learning styles, it’s time to take action. To help your students become more self-aware and confident learners, consider incorporating activities that cater to their unique learning preferences. To get started, sign up for free samples of skill-building materials and other resources designed to support Social-Emotional Learning in the classroom.
