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Optimal learning begins with identifying the seven learning styles that tutors can use to plan their lessons according to their students’ needs. Learning experts and educational psychologists identified seven unique styles of learning that each person prefers. When a tutor identifies the learning style of each tutee, he or she facilitates learning more effectively for each child.

The first learning style, Linguistic, focuses more on reading and writing. Linguistic learners easily memorize details like dates, time, places, people or events. They love to read, and write and tell stories. Tutors can use journaling, Q&A discussions, and reading assignments for students with this learning style.

The second learning style, Logical, focuses more on numbers and problem solving. Children with this type of learning style are usually very inquisitive and would prefer reading charts and graphs and answering puzzles.

The third style, Spatial, needs visual aids for a person to learn. Visual aids, such as posters, charts, videos and slides, provide stimulating sources for learning. Children who have Spatial learning styles rather prefer watching videos and slides.

The fourth style, Musical, makes use of songs and tunes to facilitate learning. Learners absorb information and comprehend more easily when the teacher pairs the lesson with music, or delivers the lesson in musical form.

The fifth style, Bodily, needs physical activities or a set of actions for learning to take place. Cooking demos, handicrafts and dancing require this learning style. Playing a game instead of a formal lecture helps students retain what they learn.

The sixth type, Interpersonal, reveals a student’s need to be with others when learning. For example, most children like being in school because they learn new things with their friends. A high school student participates in a group study with friends to help him learn.

The last learning style, Intrapersonal, differs from Interpersonal in a way. Intrapersonal learners prefer working independently. They learn better from self-study modules, such as those we see from distance education classes. They need less supervision from teachers or tutors.

In-home tutoring places the tutor in an ideal teaching situation where tutors focus only on one or two students at a time. The tutors may use these seven learning styles as their basis in creating their lesson plans with their tutees in mind. They can adjust the teaching method and activities to suit the learning style of the child.

Although the teacher in a normal classroom setting applies the same methods of teaching as the tutors, they do not fit the learning styles of all the students. A few along the way will need closer guidance than the others.