Christine and Sebastian are very committed to their children's education and like to be involved with their schoolwork, homework and projects. They have two children: Matt, who is 12 years old, and Maddie, who is 14. Both Christine and Sebastian work full-time, although Christine has a bit more flexibility available with her working hours, than does Sebastian, who runs his own importing business.

Maddie sails through school easily: she is well organised, cooperative and is often a favourite of her teachers. She enjoys reading, takes pride in her assignments and gets excellent results in most of her tests. But Matt is another story. Matt has trouble concentrating for long periods, rushes his work, and avoids reading as much as he can, unless it is a comic or sports story.

Battles over schoolwork

Christine gets very frustrated with Matt and she worries that there is “something wrong” with Matt. Or maybe it's the way boys all are. Sebastian, on the other hand, is not so bothered: “I was the same way at school” he tells Christine. “He'll grow out of it.” But that was no help every day after school, when it was Christine trying to get Matt to do his homework properly. Matt loved any activities where he could make something or draw a picture, but getting him to finish a piece of writing or practice his spelling, always ended up in an argument.

One afternoon Matt brought home from school a questionnaire he had done in class, and announced that he was a visual-kinaesthetic learner. “You are a what?” asked Christine. “What does that mean?” “It means that I learn best when I have to do something not just read it, and also that information from pictures makes more sense to my brain” replied Matt. Christine asked to look at this questionnaire, maybe it could explain something helpful about Matt's learning.

What are learning styles?

This term refers to a general approach that an individual has to learning: it can be applied to anything. There are three main learning styles:

• Visual - learning through seeing
• Auditory - learning through listening (or reading, a type of silent listening)
• Tactile/kinaesthetic - learning through touching, moving and doing

What about multiple intelligences?

This refers to a capacity that is geared to a specific content in the world. Dr Howard Gardner, a professor of education, first developed this theory in 1983. There are currently thought to be eight main types of intelligences which have been determined: eight types of smart. The table below describes each one and the types of thinking that accompanies them.

Multiple Intelligences

Schools traditionally have focused most attention and importance on verbal-linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence. Many school subjects have needed ability in these areas for students to have success: English, Mathematics, Languages and Science are all good examples. However in recent years, we have recognised that other abilities are important, and bring with them talents which enrich our lives through creativity, construction, relationships and an appreciation of our world. Secondary subjects and tertiary courses have all developed which enable students to pursue their talents in many different spheres: design, hospitality, music production, environmental studies, recreation, and much more.

Clash of intelligence and environment

Sometimes a child's intelligence does not fit easily with that of their teacher or their environment, although many schools now understand the importance of catering to different types of intelligences, while still teaching children basic skills. When children's learning styles or types of intelligence are considered, teachers can tap into their interests and increase their motivation to learn. However, this does not mean avoiding altogether, the parts of school they don't “like”. Nor does it mean that every child will be able to develop every type of intelligence.

Using a different approach

Christine made an appointment to speak with Matt's teacher and get some ideas about helping him with his homework in a different way. Christine realised that she was probably a traditional verbal-linguistic type, as was her daughter Maddie: that is why they both found school so easy. But if Matt had a different approach that was natural for him, Christine thought she should adapt to that and see if it helped.

Matt's teacher explained that Matt had a very clear preference for learning and thinking in visual ways, and that his second strongest intelligence was the bodily-kinaesthetic one. She was able to suggest that Christine try some of the strategies below when helping Matt with his spelling and writing homework:

• Visualise spelling words
• Use the “Say-Copy-Look” method
• Colour code words
• Use a mind-map before starting a piece of writing
• Take a walk when talking about what to write
• Trace spelling words on his back
• Have some variety in the place where Matt does his homework
• Use magnetic letters on a board for spelling practice

When Christine tried some of these, it didn't seem to be such a battle, even though Matt's favourite subjects were still art and sport, where he could create pictures, move around and use his excellent hand-eye coordination ability. Christine also found that having visual reminders and checklists very helpful, and saved her from constant nagging. She was more accepting of Matt's likes and dislikes, and that helped reduce everyone's frustration levels.

What is your preferred intelligence?

Understanding yourself and your children's approach to learning can help a great deal in offering them engaging activities and being able to work effectively together. Check out your own multiple intelligences at www.davidlazear.com