CM: Learning Styles

A couple of rich and challenging thoughts to ponder from Children Matter from the section "Each Learner is Unique". (The teacher is also unique.) For all the reading about learning styles I've done over the years, this is wisdom:

1) The authors say, we should acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of our own preferred learning style. "In so doing, realize that some things that help you learn may actually hinder someone else's learning. Therefore, in teaching be intentional about including learning activities that are uncomfortable for you so that you don't exclude someone whose style might be opposite." [CM p. 262-3]

2) They say that it isn't imperative that you identify each child's learning style if you include something (like an activity) for each learning style in every lesson. That way every child will find something they enjoy and something challenging to take them out of their comfort zone. [CM p. 262-3]

If you find that you're still frustrated with someone, observe. When are they bored, when are excited? If you have a child who never gets excited at church and you ask and can't get an answer from the child, ask his/her parents, siblings, or friends what that child gets excited about - even if they tell you something that most churches will never do. Put your creative thinking cap on and pray and see if God won't show you some activity that you can plan that will tell that child that someone was paying attention to him/her. Somebody noticed. Somebody took the time to find out what he/she cares about - even if it means picking a Sunday to let the kids bring in a show-and-tell or taking a few minutes at the beginning of each class when 2-3 children can bring in something from home to share. Maybe this is didactic but if you have older kids ask them, "Do you think we can learn something about God and His story doing that?" Maybe they just do it because it's fun. There's a time and place for that too.

God already knows what makes each of your kids tick. Ask Him: Lord, help me see! Lord, help me hear!