Auditory - Listening to Learn

Listening to textbooks, tutorials, videos, and other learning materials can help kids remember writing, grammar, and spelling lessons. Auditory learning can be paired with physical learning so that children are moving while listening to a lesson.

Verbal - Reading and Talking Through Learning

Verbal learners enjoy saying back what they have learned. For example, after reading aloud, have your child summarize what they have heard or read. Children who prefer verbal learning might also like auditory learning, beginning with listening to a lesson and then repeating in their own words what they learned. 

Physical or Hands-on - Encouraging Movement

For this learning style, try to include some movement time before and after a lesson of writing, grammar, and spelling. One suggestion is for children to first spell a word and then act it out. Another suggestion is to read a short story, play, or poem and then act out what has been read. Or, have your child stand, rather than sit, while going through a language arts lesson.

Even something that seems simple, such as switching up the writing tools, can make a difference for a hands-on learner. Tracing the letters in a salt or sugar tray, using a dry erase board, using magnetic letters, or any other form that requires different movements can stimulate the brain of this type of learner. 

Logical - Following Instructions

Children whose learning style is logical prefer to have clear instructions and steps to follow. Analyzing sentences as well as learning grammar, writing, and spelling rules including when they apply or do not apply are all different ways to teach this learning style. Rule cards and/or checklists can work well for this type of learner.

Social - Learning with Others

With the social learning style, children may like to spend time learning with others. Some ideas are to be part of a homeschool co-op or to find a Local Schoolhouse in your area. Students can enjoy learning with other homeschoolers by learning from the questions others ask, the answers given, and listening to others read aloud as well as observing how they approach grammar, writing, and spelling exercises.

Solitary - Learning Independently

Students whose learning style is solitary prefer independent learning time. Make sure to choose a course, textbook, video, or other curriculum that your child likes so that they will be interested in completing the necessary learning work. 

Adapt to Grade Levels

Your approach to teaching writing, grammar, and spelling will change and adapt based on the different ages and grade levels of your children. For higher grades, more advanced assignments and work can be given such as book reports, essays, readings, and research.

Remember it is more important to teach your child where they are than where their grade level says they should be. 

Your Family’s Learning Style

Knowing your family’s and each child’s learning style and approach can help with planning your homeschool day, week, and year. Things to consider include whether your family’s learning style is a classical approach, Charlotte Mason approach, unschooling, or other approach along with whether you plan to have four or five days of learning each week or if you plan to do one subject a day or spend some time on each subject each day. Read Homeschooling Planning - Discover Your Family’s Style for more on determining your family’s learning style.

For more ideas on teaching writing, grammar, and spelling in your homeschool, take a look at these articles.

• A Tech Hack for Language Arts
• An Eclectic Collection of Biography Resources
• Coping with Dyslexia
• Household Items for Hands-on Learning
• How to Help Young Children Learn to Spell

Make sure to take a look at SchoolhouseTeachers.com language arts courses for offerings and ideas.

There are many resources available to teach writing, grammar, and spelling to different learning styles. Take the time to determine what will work best in your homeschool; don’t be afraid to switch it up and enjoy the many ways of learning.  

This article has been written by homeschooling staff writers of The Canadian Schoolhouse (TCS). Enjoy more of our content from TCS contributors and staff writers by visiting our themes page that has a new theme topic added every month!