As the school year kicks off and classrooms start to come alive again, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on a foundational truth: not all students learn the same way.
Whether you’re supporting students with IEPs, multilingual learners, or a general education class filled with unique personalities, understanding student learning styles can have a powerful impact on engagement, comprehension, and long-term success.
When we take time to explore how our students learn best, we open the door to more inclusive, student-centered instruction. As the school year starts, it can be stressful as you get to know your students, their personalities, and support they need. For other beginning-of-the-year tips and tricks, check out our previous blog posts: 10 Ways to Organize Your Inclusive Classroom Before School Starts and Getting to Know Your Students: Building a Strong Relationship Foundation. In this blog post, we’ll break down some common student learning styles and explore practical, low-prep strategies to meet your learners where they are—without needing to overhaul your lesson plans.
🧠 What Are Student Learning Styles?
While every student is different, many tend to show preferences in how they absorb, process, and retain information. These preferences are often referred to as student learning styles.
The three most commonly referenced, broad learning styles are:
👁 Visual Learners
Visual learners absorb information best when it’s presented through images, diagrams, charts, color coding, and spatial organization.
👂 Auditory Learners
Auditory learners thrive through listening. They benefit from discussions, read-alouds, songs, verbal instructions, and opportunities to talk through ideas.
🖐 Kinesthetic Learners
Kinesthetic learners need to move, touch, build, and actively participate in order to understand. They learn best through hands-on activities and physical engagement.
Some students may be a blend of these learning styles or may shift preferences depending on the subject. The key? Stay flexible and observe how each student responds. A small shift in how content is presented can unlock big gains in understanding and confidence.
🛠 Simple Ways to Support Student Learning Styles in the Classroom
Supporting diverse learning preferences doesn’t mean crafting three versions of every lesson. Often, small tweaks make a big difference. Here are some teacher-friendly ways to adapt your instruction without adding to your workload:
👁 For Visual Learners:
- Use graphic organizers and anchor charts
- Add icons, symbols, or visuals to written directions
- Color code materials or steps in a process
- Include diagrams or visuals in slide decks and whiteboard work
👂 For Auditory Learners:
- Read instructions aloud and repeat key points
- Incorporate music, chants, or rhymes
- Let students discuss answers with a partner before writing
- Provide opportunities for verbal reflection and oral responses
🖐 For Kinesthetic Learners:
- Use hands-on manipulatives and interactive materials
- Allow students to act out or role-play content
- Incorporate movement breaks or standing workstations
- Offer clipboards for flexibility and tactile engagement
These strategies aren’t just helpful for students with strong preferences—they create a more dynamic, inclusive classroom experience for everyone.
🧾 Want to Learn More About Your Student’s Learning Styles? Try a Student Learning Style Inventory
Want a simple way to kick off the year and get to know your students better? Use a Learning Style Inventory to help them reflect on how they learn best. It can also open up important conversations about self-awareness, study habits, and goal setting.
✅ We’ve created a FREE Learning Style Inventory you can use with your class to quickly identify student preferences and plan accordingly. It’s low-prep, easy to implement, and a great tool to spark reflection for both students and teachers.
📥 To get your FREE Learning Style Inventory- check out our Free Resources Library on the Practical Inclusion Solutions website!
💡 Student Learning Style Takeaway
Inclusion doesn’t have to be complicated—it begins with awareness. When we understand student learning styles and make small, intentional shifts in how we teach, we make learning more accessible, more equitable, and more engaging.
As you dive into a new year, remember:
When we teach with flexibility, we teach with equity.
Let’s meet students where they are—and help them grow from there. 🌟
For more information and resources, check out these posts:
📙Everyday Speech: Understanding Learning Styles for Student Success
📗Teaching Different Learning Styles: Strategies for Reaching All Learners
📘15 Practical Strategies for Differentiated Instruction in the Inclusive Classroom