The Way They Learn Audio CD – Unabridged, March 1, 2017

I heard the author on the radio speak about this book and purchased it for that reason--to read more of her theories. While she crafts the book's message around understanding how your child learns I think the message extends to just people and personalities as a whole. Even the radio hosts of the program she was a guest on said that this book was good for married couples to understand each other. I agree. But I agree it helps with coworkers, bosses, employees, neighbors, etc. She gave a great example on the radio program that is backed up by the book as how she had a kid who was a visual learner. How if asked the kid to go get a drinking pitcher and take it out on the patio table for her that the kid would not do it. But if she said, "Do you know the blue tall drinking pitcher sitting next to the refrigerator in the kitchen? (Pausing until the kid can visualize it)". And the kid says, "Yes," as they look like they are thinking about where the pitcher is and what it looks like etc. Then she would say, "Take that and put it out on the table on the patio." Then the kid would get it. She also is another one of those folks who recognizes how our classrooms have been transformed into environments specifically tailored to females and why males are not doing so well in the classroom/academia. Sometimes I think people get caught up in the lingo of these theories too much instead of understanding the underlying points about people and our differences. Despite all of the "we are all different" or "celebrate differences" or "stop generalizing" or "stereotypes are bad" people LOVE labels. There are so many of these theories around. One I hear (or used to) a lot is the Myers-Briggs. "I am a xyzabc". Or "I'm an introvert and true to form introverts . . . ". I just think there are truths to them all and they help us understand people--all people. And I think they just, in general, help people realize we process and approach things differently and why. Understanding that is a good thing. So this is just another in the series that I think can help.

I've been looking for a book like this for a long time - so glad I found it. This was such a great read, for those of us who you want to understand ourselves & others and the way we learn, memorize, understand, etc. I learned a ton about myself & my husband. A little bit about the children, but that may take more time. I'm a sequential person as she categorized it, so I'll list out the features:1. Learning Styles a. Perception: Concrete or Abstract b. Organize it: Sequential or RandomI finally understood how my husband thinks and organizes (or the lack thereof), because he is very random & I'm sequential - papers & books spread out haphazardly works well for him.2. Memory Styles a. Auditory - verbal type b. Visual - image type c. Kinesthetic - movement type (this one was a new concept to me, and I've actually used this style for many years, unknowingly)3. Concentration Styles Many styles here - this really helped me with my child and the study style that works best. You basically find your best way to be comfortable & that is the best environment you can concentrate & learn in - couch/bed/table/floor - night/day - music/silence/background noise - public/private - group/individual. The 'sit down at a desk with a lamp in total quiet' homework time is busted!4. Understand Styles a. Global - need the whole picture b. Analytical - need detailsI definitely have heard this before, but it was nice to read the details on it - I'm guessing I'm analytical :)5. Intelligences She explains how our talents can be applied for a career or hobby. Linguistic, Logical, Spatial, Musical, Kinesthetic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal. I love the categories of interpersonal & intrapersonal, because it explains the differences and talents of social vs. introverted people.I do like that fact that the author does clarify not to categorize ourselves & others 100% in one area. We can all be a mix & match - it's not mutually exclusive.

This book does a wonderful job of defining and describing the various learning styles, ways of understanding information, etc. It was interesting and helpful to discover that my husband and I and our oldest two children are all dominant Abstract Sequential, though a couple of us have another style that's a strong second place while the other two are only AS. However, we differ in how we understand information with one of us being kinesthetic and the others visual. It's useful information to have. However, this book is definitely not geared toward younger children. I could figure out my older 2 children's styles, but my just turned 6-year-old there isn't enough data to assess, even less so with my 4-year-old. The quiz questions are more geared toward older children and adults, both in understanding and in the ability to evaluate themselves.Despite it's subtitle ("How to discover and teach to your child's strengths" this book is unfortunately relatively light on helping you determine how to teach to your children. What to do with my quite intelligent 9 yo that can read beautifully but is a horrible speller and is a kinesthetic learner? This book has little to help me with that question. This book is of more help in understanding the basic framework than in implementing a plan of action based on it.Still this was very enjoyable reading. Each style and way of thinking and understanding was really brought to life for me. She looks at each of the styles from the perspective of a parent with that style, which is very helpful as well. I would recommend this book to parents and students, but in targeting any trouble areas that your child has, you may need to look elsewhere for more detailed information about how to teach to their learning styles and strengths.

Everyone recommended this, good book, cou8ple good facts but just the same as any learning style book, nothing new, worth it I guess if you havent read one already

This book is eye opening into understanding my strong willed child. I now know and get what makes us so diferrent and it helps me to make homework time more productive rather than a pain in the behind.

I enjoyed this book because the information was very well presented. It was well-rounded because it used multiple perspectives on the topic. This book would be great for parents or teachers focusing on helping their kids have a positive and successful learning experience. It also gives insight and understanding of the teacher/parent's learning styles which affect the way they teach.

Worth of purchase