You would be surprised at how many people don't realize that there are different ways to learn things and that everyone generally fits into one of the 3 main learning styles. This sort of information is important when it comes to not only the person trying to learn, but the people trying to do the teaching as well. So lets talk about these types of learning and what exactly it is that sets them all apart from one another.

AUDITORY

Or listening learners. Audiroty learners are those of us who learn best with verbal instruction. These types of learners often can remember word-for-word what the instructions were. They listen for key words that will help them remember each direction or drill.

Now, how can we best help an auditory learner? When someone learns best by listening, it is super important that those of us teaching speak clearly and with as much accuracy as possible. If you say "do a punch" you better mean you want a punch, not a block. Remember, this style of learner is listening to your words more than they are watching what you do.

VISUAL

Or watching learners. Visual learners rely more on what they can see vs what you said. They would much rather watch a demonstration than listen to the instructions. Sometimes it can seem like these learners are zoned out (which may sometimes be the case :P) but they are more often than not just trying to watch your every step and may ask to see the same demonstration more than once.

The best way to ensure a visual learner will get the grasp of what you are teaching is to not only show it multiple time, but to make sure you show it from different points of view (ie opposite side or differnt angle). Don't be afraid to over exaggerate or repeat the same motion before moving on to the next step.

KINESTHETIC

Or the "do-ers" This type of learning is often mixed with one of our two previous learning styles. These types of learners understand things best when they finally get to tryi it out themselves. You will often see these types of learners "marking out" the motions loosely while you are explaining or demonstrating. This does not mean they aren't paying attention. This is just thier way of trying to comprehend the drill or activity.

The best way to teach these types of learners is to just let them try it out. Learners like this are often very self aware of thier bodies and they know what feels right and what doesn't. Often times, if it is a younger learner, you may have to help them out with the motions by either doing it right beside them or moving thier bodies for them. Sometimes you have to move through the whole motion, sometimes its just a matter of placing the foot or hand.

There are ALL TYPES of different ways to learn the things that the world has to teach us, but these 3 are the most generalized and most popular styles of learning. It is critical that we as teachers, coaches, and instructors, understand the learning styles and how to teach all of them. What is even more handy is when you can teach more that one at the same time. That comes with practice and repitition but is super hand to not have to teach the same thing over and over and over.

As teachers, it is also important that we recognize these learning stlyes in others. More often than not, children have no idea how they like to len. All they know is that they want to learn and get better and try new things so it is our job to recognize the learning styles within our students, teams, membersh, or clients so that we can help them to the best of our abilities.

So? What is your learning style? Think about it. Pay attention to it. And when you have an answer, leave a comment below and let me know!

Until next time,

Sensei Mers