Get Through to Them: Tips to Identify Each of Your Player's Learning Styles

Introduction: As a youth sports coach, understanding the diverse learning styles of your players is pivotal for fostering effective communication, skill development, and team cohesion. In this guide, we'll explore four prominent learning style models—VARK, Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory, Gardner's Multiple Intelligences, and Felder-Silverman's Index of Learning Styles. Equip yourself with the tools to recognize and cater to the unique learning preferences of each player, creating a more inclusive and impactful coaching experience.

VARK Learning Styles:

Visual Learners:

• Identification: Observes demonstrations keenly, prefers diagrams and charts, tends to take detailed notes during discussions.

• Recognition Tip: Notice if the child often doodles or draws during instructional sessions, indicating a preference for visual stimuli.

• Non-Identification Tip: If the child seems disinterested during visual demonstrations and rarely engages with visual materials, they may not lean towards a visual learning style.

Auditory Learners:

• Identification: Enjoys verbal explanations, actively participates in discussions, benefits from listening to podcasts or verbal instructions.

• Recognition Tip: Observe if the child frequently asks questions during discussions and appears engaged in verbal communication.

• Non-Identification Tip: A child who often seems distracted or unresponsive during verbal instructions may not align with an auditory learning style.

Reading/Writing Learners:

• Identification: Enjoys reading materials, takes detailed notes, thrives with written instructions and playbooks.

• Recognition Tip: Look for the child who consistently takes notes, reads written instructions thoroughly, and prefers written materials.

• Non-Identification Tip: A child who appears disinterested in written materials or struggles to follow written instructions may not lean towards a reading/writing learning style.

Kinesthetic Learners:

• Identification: Learns best through hands-on experiences, prefers physical activities and simulations, may struggle with long periods of passive learning.

• Recognition Tip: Observe if the child seems most engaged during physical activities, enjoys interactive drills, and learns through movement.

• Non-Identification Tip: A child who appears restless or unengaged during physical activities may not lean towards a kinesthetic learning style.

Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory:

Concrete Experience (CE):

• Identification: Enjoys participating in activities, learns through practical experiences, may struggle with theoretical discussions.

• Recognition Tip: Notice if the child eagerly participates in practical drills and excels in hands-on activities.

• Non-Identification Tip: A child who appears hesitant or disinterested in participating in physical activities may not lean towards a concrete experiential learning style.

Reflective Observation (RO):

• Identification: Prefers observing and reflecting before taking action, may be quieter during discussions but highly attentive.

• Recognition Tip: Observe if the child often takes a step back to observe before actively participating.

• Non-Identification Tip: A child who seems impulsive and rarely takes time to observe and reflect may not align with a reflective observational learning style.

Abstract Conceptualization (AC):

• Identification: Enjoys analyzing and understanding theoretical concepts, may excel in discussions on strategies and tactics.

• Recognition Tip: Notice if the child engages deeply in theoretical discussions and demonstrates a strong understanding of strategies.

• Non-Identification Tip: A child who appears disinterested in conceptual discussions and struggles with understanding theories may not lean towards an abstract conceptualization learning style.

Active Experimentation (AE):

• Identification: Thrives on applying theories in practical situations, enjoys trying new strategies during gameplay.

• Recognition Tip: Observe if the child actively applies learned concepts during drills and games, experimenting with different approaches.

• Non-Identification Tip: A child who hesitates to apply learned concepts in practical situations and prefers routine may not align with an active experimentation learning style.

Gardner's Multiple Intelligences:

Logical-Mathematical Intelligence:

• Identification: Enjoys analyzing patterns, excels in strategic thinking, may prefer logical discussions.

• Recognition Tip: Observe if the child frequently analyzes patterns and demonstrates strong logical reasoning.

• Non-Identification Tip: A child who struggles with logical reasoning and rarely engages in strategic discussions may not lean towards a logical-mathematical intelligence.

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence:

• Identification: Learns through physical movement, enjoys hands-on activities, may excel in coordination-based sports.

• Recognition Tip: Notice if the child demonstrates strong coordination and enjoys physical activities.

• Non-Identification Tip: A child who appears uncoordinated and disinterested in physical activities may not align with a bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.

Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence:

• Identification: Enjoys language-based activities, excels in verbal communication, may thrive in discussions.

• Recognition Tip: Observe if the child actively engages in verbal communication, enjoys discussions, and excels in language-based activities.

• Non-Identification Tip: A child who struggles with verbal communication and appears disinterested in discussions may not lean towards a verbal-linguistic intelligence.

Interpersonal Intelligence:

• Identification: Thrives in group settings, enjoys collaborative activities, and excels in understanding team dynamics.

• Recognition Tip: Notice if the child actively participates in group activities, demonstrates empathy, and enjoys collaborative efforts.

• Non-Identification Tip: A child who prefers individual activities and struggles with collaboration may not align with an interpersonal intelligence.

Felder-Silverman Index of Learning Styles:

Sensing vs. Intuitive:

• Identification: Sensing learners prefer concrete facts and details, while intuitive learners focus on possibilities and theories.

• Recognition Tip: Observe if the child frequently seeks concrete details and facts during discussions and activities.

• Non-Identification Tip: A child who often appears distracted and uninterested in concrete details may not lean towards a sensing learning style.

Visual vs. Verbal:

• Identification: Visual learners prefer diagrams and images, while verbal learners favor written or spoken explanations.

• Recognition Tip: Notice if the child actively engages with visual aids and demonstrates a preference for visual explanations.

• Non-Identification Tip: A child who appears disinterested in visual aids and prefers verbal explanations may not align with a visual learning style.

Active vs. Reflective:

• Identification: Active learners prefer hands-on activities, while reflective learners enjoy observing and thinking before taking action.

• Recognition Tip: Observe if the child actively participates in physical activities and enjoys hands-on experiences.

• Non-Identification Tip: A child who seems hesitant to engage in hands-on activities and prefers passive observation may not align with an active learning style.

Sequential vs. Global:

• Identification: Sequential learners prefer step-by-step instructions, while global learners focus on the overall picture.

• Recognition Tip: Observe if the child consistently follows step-by-step instructions and demonstrates a preference for structured learning.

• Non-Identification Tip: A child who appears to struggle with sequential instructions and prefers a holistic approach may not lean towards a sequential learning style.

Conclusion: By integrating these diverse learning style models into your coaching approach, you can create an environment that caters to the unique strengths and preferences of each player. Keep in mind that children may exhibit a blend of learning styles, and flexibility in your coaching methods will contribute to a more inclusive and effective learning experience. Through attentive observation and thoughtful adaptation, you'll empower each player to thrive, both on and off the field.