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“My Brain Doesn’t Work Like That!”

Creating Success with Non-Traditional Learners by Accommodating Learning Differences

Presentation by Jane Bluestein, Ph.D.

We all have individual preferences and needs when it comes to learning. Some of us like it quiet, while others need music or other noises in order to concentrate. Some need a nice, neat desk while others sprawl out on the floor. Some of us like working alone while others prefer working in teams or with a partner. Some understand best when we hear information, others when we can touch it or see it.

It’s not the differences that are a problem, however. It’s our tendency to be most comfortable with our own styles and assume that everyone learns best the same way we do! This is why it can be so hard to understand kids who actually learn and perform better when their preferences look very different from our own. Trying to force kids into a picture of learning or attending that is unnatural for them can create stress for them, result in behaviors that create stress for us, and ultimately interfere with the very goals of learning and achievement we claim to want!

This program will explore a number of ways individuals learn. In addition to presenting dozens of practical strategies for accommodating a variety of learner preferences, we’ll also look at ways to teach children how to take responsibility for their own learning needs—without creating problems for anyone else.

Great ideas for teachers and parents, especially those working with non-traditional learners.

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