Learning styles
Whatever options they choose, teenagers have to get to grips with organising their learning, doing research, meeting deadlines for handing in work and revising effectively. You can help your teenager get better at these things if you know how they learn best.
How does your teenager learn best?
Have you ever wondered why your teenager wants to listen to music, say things aloud or get up and move about when they're learning? It could be their learning style in action. Everyone uses sight, hearing and touch to help them learn. Some use one sense more than the others and this affects their learning style.
Many revision and exam techniques that your teenager will learn in the next couple of years fit with these learning styles. Mind maps, lists, acronyms, word associations and rhymes will appeal in different ways. Encourage your teenager to try a variety to help them study more effectively.
Take a look at three main learning styles.
Learners who rely on sight ...
- Make lots of detailed notes
- Close their eyes to remember things
- Like colourful presentations
- Find something to watch when bored
If this is your teenager, encourage them to...
- Find a quiet place to work
- Use colour to highlight important text
- Turn notes and handouts into charts, diagrams and pictures
Learners who rely on sound ...
- Read out loud and talk about their learning
- Like spoken instructions
- Enjoy explaining things to other people
- Hum or talk to themselves when bored
If this is your teenager, encourage them to...
- Take part in discussions and debates
- Read things out loud
- Repeat facts with their eyes closed
- Use music, jingles and rhymes to remember things
Learners who rely on touch ...
- Learn by doing things
- Fidget and doodle a lot
- Need to be active and take regular breaks
- Distract others when bored
If this is your teenager, encourage them to...
- Move around and use actions or role play to learn new things
- Listen to music when working
- Work with other people
- Use bright colours to highlight text
What next?
Tool kit
Hot tip
For more information on how to help with all aspects of your teenager's learning, visit the ParentsCentre 
.
Quote
"We use our different senses - hearing, seeing and touching - to help us learn things."
