There has been much written about the hemispheres of our brain and the way they define our thinking style. Our left brain is the logical, analytical side of us, while the right is where creativity lies. While we use both sides of our brains for almost every task we do, each side of our brain has its area of specialty, which in turn influences the way we think. For children, brain dominance has a profound impact on school success. Understanding your child’s thinking style can help you be sure they are receiving the kind of instruction they need. Think your child may be an auditory learner? Take our quiz to find out!

Left-brain dominance, also known as being auditory-sequential, tends to create linear thinkers that approach the world in a “one right answer” kind of way. Children that are auditory-sequential thinkers tend to be successful at school, because their thinking style aligns with traditional teaching methods.

These students are logical, think in a progression of steps and learn best through drill and repetition. They tend to be more organized, manage time well and are comfortable with multiple-choice, true false kinds of tests.

Auditory–sequential learners:

• Think in words
• Have strong language skills
• Learn best by hearing information
• Are logical, organized and detail-oriented
• Have strong sequencing skills
• Follow oral directions well
• Have strong short-term, auditory memory
• Are successful in traditional education settings

Auditory-sequential learners absorb information best by hearing. Successful instruction should include opportunities to further develop their already strong language and auditory skills. While these students have many strengths that make them successful at school, they will benefit from activities that help them develop their right-brain, visual-spatial skills. Conceptual, holistic, multiple solutions thinking will help balance their “one right answer” tendencies and open them up creatively.

Click HERE to take our quiz and find out if your child is an AUDITORY learner!

For more information on how learning styles affect education outcomes and ways to help your child, check out my new book, Being Visual (released September 2012).

Bette Fetter Founder and CEO of Young Rembrandts and Author of Being Visual [email protected] Follow Bette on Twitter