The Way They Learn
How to discover and teach to your child’s strengths
By Cynthia Ulrich Tobias

A Reader’s Review
By Kelly Benedict

This is an enlightening resource by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias that introduces “the variety of learning styles that shape the way students interpret their world. Once these approaches are understood, parents and teachers can become far more effective in helping children grasp confusing concepts, stay interested in lessons, and utilize their strengths.”

Have you ever asked yourself, “Just what exactly is my son/daughters learning style?” Or even, “what is my learning style?” One of the most effective models of understanding learning style differences comes from the research of Dr. Anthony F. Gregorc. His model provides invaluable insights in how our minds perceive and understand information. He feels that there are two points of view here.

Perception: which is the way we take in information. This is done either concretely through our 5 senses, or abstractly using our intuition, intellect, and imagination. Once we have taken in the information, we use one of two methods of “ordering” what we know. Ordering: which is the way we use the information we perceive. This is done either sequentially which allows our minds to organize the information using a step-by-step manner, or randomly which lets our minds organize information by chunks and with no particular sequence.

From Perception and Ordering come four (4) dominant learning styles. Remember though that no individual is one type. The Four combinations are:

*Here is a quick, informal method of identifying some of our own, or your child’s, learning style characteristics.

Dominant Learning Style Characteristics
Describe what you prefer most of the time. Place a check mark beside every phrase under each section that describes your preferences. Check as many as you feel strongly describe you.

Dominant Concrete Sequential (CS)
I almost always:
___prefer doing things the same way
___work best with people who won’t hesitate to take immediate action
___am more interested in obvious facts than in finding hidden meanings
___prefer a neat and orderly environment
___ask first “How do I do it?”

Dominant Abstract Sequential (AS)
I almost always:
___want as much information as possible before making a decision
___need enough time to do a thorough job
___prefer to get directions in writing
___am interested in where a person got the facts
___ask “Where do I find more information?”

Dominant Abstract Random (AR)
I almost always:
___prefer to check with others before making final decisions
___try to be sensitive to others feelings
___work well with others
___am not bothered by a cluttered environment
___ask the advice of others when in doubt

Dominant Concrete Random (CR)
I almost always:
___solve problems creatively
___act on the spur of the moment
___work best with those who can keep up
___like frequent changes in the environment
___prefer to learn only what’s necessary to know

Total: _____

***Based on the work of Anthony F. Gregorc, Ph.D. Adapted by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias, M.Ed.

As Mrs. Tobias states, “In a nutshell, just because your children may not be responding to you doesn’t always mean they aren’t listening. So much of what we parents perceive as our children’s deliberate attempts to annoy and frustrate us are actually a difference in approach and perspective. If we can learn to discern what is a learning style difference and how much is true disobedience or defiance, we will be much wiser parents.”

This is an excellent book that will give you an idea of what your learning style, or your child’s might be, but also an overview and comparison of the four styles on some important key issues. It will be one of the most worthwhile books you’ll ever read!

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