For visual learners, studying sight words and vocabulary can be difficult. Rote memorization and recitation are just not the way they learn new concepts. So, we have to come up with more creative, visual, hands-on techniques to achieve great results. When I hear from parents that have read and applied visual learning techniques, I am enormously grateful to be a part of this important conversation.

This is what one of our reader’s did to help her daughter study vocabulary:

McKenna’s Story

My daughter is beautiful. Smart. Entertaining. At nine years old, she shines like a star.  I just wish she didn’t struggle in school as much as she does. I have three children and McKenna is the youngest.  Her older siblings breeze through school with outstanding grades and easily grasp what they’re being taught.  McKenna? Not so much. My husband and I know our daughter is smart but are frustrated that even as involved parents, we can’t help McKenna achieve the academic success she so desires.

Then we read Being Visual, by Bette Fetter.  It clicked.  My daughter is TOTALLY VISUAL. She’s a visual learner! We never really understood her learning style or the way we need to adjust her learning techniques to match how she sees things. Being Visual suggests using more visual methods while doing homework and studying for tests. So we have been and as a result, our McKenna is making an astounding turnaround!  Last week while prepping for a vocabulary test, McKenna’s tutor read the words and wanted McKenna to recite their definitions.  It wasn’t working because that technique is best for auditory learners. Because McKenna is a visual learner, we changed strategies and had her draw pictures of what the words meant on a flash card. Do you know what McKenna received on that vocabulary test? An A!!!!

Thank you Bette for bringing this into our lives and helping us connect with McKenna in a much-needed way!  In fact, I use some of your strategies in my everyday life because I too, am a visual learner.

DOWNLOAD a visual vocabulary and spelling words activity to do at home.