Learning Avenues

What is a right brain dominant child? How is this different from a left brain dominant child? Well, that is a good question. In a nut shell, it is all in how a child processes information given to them. It has nothing to do with how smart a child is or if a child is in need behavior intervention. Each of us uses either our left side of the brain or our right side of the brain to process and understand the things that are happening around us.

Being that I have one child who is a left brain learner and one child that is right brain learner, I have had my share of experience with what works and what doesn't. In my opinion, homeschooling is a great choice for the right brain learning child. Not because a school facility isn't designed to handle a right brain learner, but rather because there is so much more we can do at home to promote growth through education in the world around him/her. You see, we live in a left brain dominant world. While most schools and curriculum teach from a left brain approach, children with right brain dominance can easily get left behind and lost. Unfortunately, a school teacher just doesn't have the time to stylize each lesson for each child. However, if a parent can learn what and how to teach their right brain learner at home - immediate success and confidence can be reached quickly.

From my experience, I have noticed that most left handed children are right brain learners. After all, in science class we learned early on that a child who eats with their left hand; throws with their left hand; and writes with their left hand, uses the right side of their brain more than the left. In education, these children are more visual in learning, maybe day dream a little more than the others, but can memorize anything if presents in a song or picture.

By highlighting a sound within the word on a flashcard, it can greatly improve language arts development. For example, if you are learning the blend "ow" - try it this way...

Clown
Towel
Frown

It seems silly and simple enough, but it works. Recently, I used this technique and pasted index cards all over the house (Door taped to a door) in hopes to see progress. It didn't take long before my youngest could orally tell me how to spell the word "door" along with other words I had placed throughout the house. Once we learned how to verbally spell certain words, my son was able to move into writing those words on paper... correctly. Little things like this will help your right brain dominant child catch up to speed on his/her language skills.

If you want to learn more about determining if you child is a right brain dominant learner or a left brain dominant learner, here is a little more information...

Common Characteristics of a Right Brain Learner - HSLDA.org

• Likes spontaneous events, versus planned events each day. Seeks change.
• Memorizes best by using meaning, color, pictures, story, emotion in material.
• Does not plan ahead regularly.
• Prefers much involvement with parent while doing daily lessons.
• Does not do items sequentially, but skips around in his or her work.
• Makes quantum leaps when learning. Figures things out from scanty evidence.
• Finds math quite repetitive and somewhat boring.
• Prefers projects and discussions rather than workbook learning.
• Does not do well with self-paced or computer curriculum, but rather one that requires more parent and teacher involvement, such as unit studies, or any curriculum that is more hands-on and interactive with the adult.

Characteristics of a Right Brain Learner:
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/learningstyles/a/rightbrain.htm

Right Brain Quiz for Teenagers:
http://homeworktips.about.com/library/brainquiz/bl_leftrightbrain_quiz.htm

There is so much information available out on the Internet to help encourage the homeschool mom with struggling learners. There are lots of wonderful techniques to try and great curriculum to look into. Be patient and hang in there...