Types of Learning and How Brain Training Adapts to How Your Child Learns

“I’m a visual learner.” How many times have you heard someone say that? You may have even heard that from your child. For decades, students of all ages have been subdivided by different types of learning—most commonly, auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning. These methods are often used to convey how a particular individual learns most effectively. 

For example, if someone’s a visual learner, they’re meant to learn primarily through visual input—pictures, graphs, diagrams, and so on. This notion, popularized in the 1970s, is meant to help teachers take an informed and one-on-one approach to every single learner. 

However, an increasing body of evidence demonstrates that different learning types aren’t necessarily grounded in scientific evidence. More concerningly, dividing students by types of learning may affect how their intelligence is perceived, by themselves as well as educators and parents. 

Let’s take a closer look at these ideas—and explore alternative approaches to learning and thinking, such as one-on-one brain training. 

Understanding the Types of Learning 

The 4 Common Types of Learning  

First of all, what are the different types of learning? Most popular theories have three or four different categories for learning types, and often include the following: 

• Auditory. This category describes students who appear to learn, think, and communicate primarily through sound. For example, they learn best when hearing a lesson spoken aloud, and feel at ease sharing their ideas out loud.  
• Visual. Those who are considered visual learners are meant to learn best through visual information, such as diagrams, maps, graphs, and pictures. It’s suggested that they think mainly in pictures as opposed to words. 
• Reading and writing. Somewhat similar to visual learning, reading, and writing are types of learning defined by visual information. In this case, however, it’s the written word instead of pictures that students rely on. 
• Kinesthetic. This learning type is frequently described as “hands-on learning.” Kinesthetic learners are meant to grasp ideas and concepts simply by doing them—for example, they can only learn to swim once they’re in the water, moving around.

What’s the Problem with Learning Types? 

Learning types have been an enduringly popular way for educators to approach the differences between students and their abilities. You may have even been told that you or your child was a particular type of learner. But in the past decade, this approach has started to fall out of favor at an increasing rate. 

Significantly, this philosophy of teaching has very little evidence to back it up. In fact, there’s a growing body of evidence that these methods don’t work. The methods for identifying different learning types can be faulty, and often students benefit from receiving information through a variety of different formats.  

Most upsettingly, the concept of different types of learning can create misconceptions about a child’s intelligence level—where visual learners may be perceived as smarter than kinesthetic learners, for example.

Fortunately, this isn’t the only methodology available for kids, teens, and adults. Brain training is one great example of an alternative approach that’s flexible to each learner. 

A Different Approach to Learning Types

With brain training, the foundation of skills and abilities isn’t tied to a student’s type of learning. Instead, it’s linked to their cognitive skills—skills like focus, memory, and processing speed. 

These skills aren’t set in stone but can be honed and improved with one-on-one support. When these abilities are improved, students can become more successful at receiving auditory, visual, or written information. 

At LearningRx, we understand that every student has incredible potential. With our flexible, dynamic, and one-on-one approach, we help students target their existing skills and discover new potential. 

Types of learning don’t have to define your child’s abilities. Instead, help them tap into their unique skills with one-on-one brain training. Visit us online to learn more, or find your local LearningRx by calling 1-866-BRAIN-01.