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David Kolb, author of “Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development,” says learning styles can be defined by how a child’s learning plays out in class. Kolb’s model divides learning styles into four categories that consider a student’s in-class behavior, as well as his ability to translate education into real-life experience and vice versa.

Converger

Those with a converger learning style experiment and apply information. The convergence is between theoretical information and practical experience.

For example, a converger student learning about different learning styles might break down a classroom roster into convergers, divergers, assimilators and accommodators and theoretically consider how a group of all convergers might operate compared to a group of all divergers, or a mixed group of divergers and assimilators compared to a group of convergers and accommodators.

Diverger

Divergers tend to reflect on their own observations to develop an understanding of alternative or competing perspectives. Divergers balance, compare and contrast their observations and interpretations against the observations and interpretations of others; the divergence is between differing viewpoints.

For example, a diverger student learning about different learning styles might consider the learning styles of her classmates in attempt to see how her style differs from them.

Assimilator

Assimilators conceptualize abstract ideas in an attempt to formulate theoretical models. Assimilators analyze and reflect on practical affairs in an attempt to parse out a theoretical framework by which to analyze and explain those affairs.

For example, an assimilator student learning about different learning styles might conduct a case study of an individual student’s behavior in an attempt to determine what learning style that student shows.

Accommodators

Accommodators consider theory’s application to reality and actively attempt to create practical models based on theoretical considerations.

For example, an accommodator student learning about different learning styles might break down a classroom roster into convergers, divergers, assimilators and accommodators and try to create study groups in which each type of learning style is represented.

There are numerous scholarly and commercial publications attesting to the power of the mind. The popular belief that human beings only use 10 percent of the mind’s full capacity is an overstated understatement, according to Neuroscience Education Consultant Kenneth A. Wesson.

He points out that the full potential of the mind is limitless and unmeasurable; incorporating techniques that utilize the power of the mind in your studies can play a vital role in mastering material in ways you never thought possible.

The Mozart Effect

Study while listening to Mozart. The “Mozart effect” is the result of a study by Frances H. Rauscher, in which he found that listening to Mozart increases spacial comprehension and overall IQ of test subjects by 8-9 points.

He noted that this change in perception only occurs while listening to the music and lasts for up to 15 minutes once the music has been turned off. This is an excellent practice to help study for upcoming examinations or for students involved in online as well as correspondence programs and have the luxury of taking tests while listening to music.

Subliminal Study

Study subliminally by recording lectures and listening to audiobooks in your sleep, while exercising or doing mundane daily tasks. Purchase a digital recorder that to connect to your computer through a usb cable so you can record and upload audio files.

Many textbooks are not available in audio form, but Adobe Acrobat Reader can read your documents to you out loud after converting them to pdf. This is an excellent practice to combine with the ‘Mozart effect,” by playing mozart at low levels in the background, or vice-versa–by listening to Mozart and playing your lectures at low levels in the background.

Conducive Diet

Increase mind power through a healthy diet. It is very hard to comprehend new material when you are tired, as your brain isn’t functioning at full potential. There is a wide range of foods known to supply the body with natural energy to enable the mind to function.

Foods with a lot of antioxidants, such as chocolate, salmon, green tea, wine, bananas, coffee beans and blue berries all enhance the brain’s ability to function. Tap into the hidden powers of the nutrients in these foods to supplement efficient and effective study patterns.

Learning to study is probably the most important skill you need to succeed in school. The details of studying are different for different subjects, but the basic process is the same.

It starts with scheduling time for studying, sitting down at that time, planning what you want to accomplish and following through to your goal. Sometimes it’s harder than you think to accomplish your goal, so here’s how to learn to study.

How to Learn Study Techniques

1. Meet with other students who can share their study techniques. You can either ask upfront for help learning to study, or you can join a study group and watch how more successful students tackle their homework.

2. Enroll in a tutoring program that emphasizes study skills. These programs can analyze your learning style and suggest approaches to studying that will help you succeed.

3. Ask teachers to help you. Your instructors know the material and the requirements to succeed. If you approach them in earnest, they’re usually happy to give you study tips.

4. To improve your study techniques, read articles and books such as “Grade Boosting Secrets.” See Resources below.

Summer Enrichment Programs

Writing is important for elementary students because it teaches them to write letters, words and complete sentences. With continued practice, your children can learn how to write paragraphs and essays.

When starting elementary school, you want to start children out with the basics. Have your children learn how to write the letters of the alphabet. As they improve, allow them to write whole words. The following tools will set your child up for success in the classroom.

Smart Start Paper

With Smart Start Paper, elementary school kids can learn how to write between the lines. The lines are blue and green with red dots. Smart Start paper will teach elementary kids basic handwriting skills.

They will learn how to write directly on the lines instead of off of them. There are a variety of papers for different age groups. The paper for grades kindergarten through 2nd grade will have a 1 inch space, while grades 1 to 2 will have a 5/8 inch space.

Some packages of Smart Start paper even come with story papers. Story papers have a box for children to draw.

Manuscript Handwriting Lessons

These worksheets will help your child practice their handwriting. There are 100 lessons in all, including blank paper for additional practice. Use the blank paper for your child to practice on any of the letters they’re having trouble with.

Before printing out these worksheets, teach your child these letters. Then have your child practice tracing the letters on these sheets.

The worksheets that are marked in orange introduce new words and the ones marked in blue teach your child how to space words properly. These worksheets are ideal for elementary kids who are struggling or are homeschooled.

Journals are an ideal way to teach elementary kids how to write. This will get them used to practicing how to write complete sentences every day.

As they continue writing in their journals, their writing skills will advance. You can have children use a journal at home or in the classroom. Have them use a composition book or any other notebook. Plan a time each day for them to gather their thoughts. Allow them to

do whatever they want with their journals, as long as they’re writing it in them. The purpose of the journal is to get children used to putting ideas in writing, according to the Write Site website.

Not only will a journal help teach kids about writing, but it will help them learn more about themselves. It will give them an outlet to express themselves and their thoughts.

Most educators and institutions have their own ideas about how young children should be educated. Early Childhood education has its roots in many different theories and philosophies.

Erik Erikson

One of the first theorists involved in Early Childhood Education and its background was Erik Erikson.

Erikson believed that including play that involved real life situations was essential to children’s development as it allowed them to think out the problems they face and begin to understand the functioning of the world around them.

These theories were given more value as educators and parents began to understand that play has a purpose for children.

Jean Piaget

Around the same time, in the early 1900′s to the 1950′s, Jean Piaget was also developing his own theories on how children learn. He determined that children learn through their experiences with their surroundings and adapting to their environment. He also declared play essential for children’s mental and emotional development.

Lee Vygotzky

Lee Vygotzky, another theorist who promoted the movement of Early Childhood Education believed that language guided learning, and that learning is what creates development instead of development through learning.

Although differing in their own ways, Vygotzky, Piaget and Erikson all saw Early Childhood Education as a necessary movement in order to promote the advancement of children.

Maria Montessori

While the philosophers and observers elsewhere battled it out, Maria Montessori in Italy began basing her own theories on her observations of children in action.

She watched them as individuals instead of as a group and drew conclusions from the children’s activities while conducting independent play. Read the rest of this entry »

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” While this ancient proverb may seem trite or cliche to modern scholars, it still holds true when discussing children and play.

Greek Philosophers Plato and Aristotle discussed the role of play in education, but specific play theories were not developed until centuries later.

The following discussion of a few modern psychological theories and theorists describes the current trends put into “play” in today’s educational settings.

Play as Therapy

In 1920, Sigmund Freud posed a psychoanalytic play theory that was defined in his book “Beyond the Pleasure Principle.”

In this work, Freud described play as a child’s mechanism for repeatedly working out a previously experienced traumatic event in an effort to correct or master the event to his satisfaction.

Play as Rehearsal

In 1972, Bruner stated that one of the main functions of child’s play was to rehearse actions to various real-life scenarios in a safe, risk-free environment so that when confronted with a difficult situation, it would not be so stressful.

Play as Preparation

John Dewey was a prominent theorist in the early 1900s. According to Dewey, play is a subconscious activity that helps an individual develop both mentally and socially. It should be separate from work as play helps a child to grow into a working world.

As children become adults, they no longer “play” but seek amusement from their occupation. This childhood activity of play prepares them to become healthy working adults.

Play as Sensory Learning

Maria Montessori, an Italian educationist during the early 1900s, postulated that “play is the child’s work.” According to the Montessori method, which is still employed today in private schools, children would be best served spending their play time learning or imagining.

Montessori play is sensory, using a hands-on approach to everyday tools like sand tables. The child sets her own pace, and the teacher is collaborative in helping the child play to learn. Read the rest of this entry »