Last month, we talked about the techniques we use when teaching visual and aural learners, the first two letters in the VARK acronym. Make sure to check out that post here!
The VARK model is a popular method used to categorize learning styles, and the acronym stands for visual, aural, read/write, and kinesthetic. We recognize that not all of our students will fit neatly into one category, or that someone might have characteristics of more than one learning style. However, we do use the VARK model as a foundation to plan individualized lessons that meet the unique needs of each of our students and capitalize on their strengths.
Today we’re going to talk about read/write learners and kinesthetic learners.
Read/write: Read/write learners love lists and to make categories as a way to process information. This is a learning style that might be hard to identify in a toddler or preschooler, but is more easily identifiable in older kiddos and in our adult students. Read/write learners appreciate people who use words well and might appreciate having a new skill or activity in swim lessons verbally defined. The instructor can encourage read/write learners to (at home and after the lesson) list out new skills from the lesson or write step-by-step instructions for how to complete a new activity or sequence.
Kinesthetic: Kinesthetic learners are called “doers.” Our instructors help “doers” by physically guiding them to practice the new skill (e.g., moving the student’s arms in a rainbow motion before practicing “rainbow arms”). “Doers” tend to struggle to sit still and love to stay occupied, so we make sure that our lessons are fun and engaging. We also realize the importance of well-timed “breaks” that might include jumping or cannonballing into the pool or playing with a pool toy for a few seconds in between learning skills. No student wants a boring swim lesson, and this is especially true for kinesthetic learners.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our explanation of how we take learning skills into account while planning and teaching our swim lessons. If you have any specific questions about your child’s needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We want the Whatley Swim experience to be positive in every way.
See you in the pool!