Communicating with Teachers About Learning Styles: A Parent’s Guide to Better Support

Every child learns differently—and as a parent, you know your child better than anyone. But even the most dedicated teachers can’t always see the full picture unless parents share what they know.

That’s where strong parent-teacher communication comes in. By working together, you can help your child’s school experience feel more tailored, supportive, and successful.

Here’s how to start the conversation and become a confident advocate for your child’s learning needs.

How to Advocate for Your Child’s Learning Style

Advocating doesn’t have to feel confrontational or complicated. It simply means sharing helpful information and working as a team with your child’s teacher. Start with these steps:

• Be clear about what you’ve observed at home—whether your child is a visual learner who loves charts or a hands-on learner who needs movement.
• Share specific examples: “He remembers things better when we use color-coded notes,” or “She struggles with long verbal instructions but does well with written lists.”
• Stay open and collaborative. Instead of saying, “This isn’t working,” try, “Here’s what we’ve noticed that seems to help at home—could we try something similar in class?”

You’re not telling the teacher how to do their job—you’re offering valuable insight they can use to better support your child.

Questions to Ask During Parent-Teacher Conferences

Whether it’s your first conference or your fifth, asking the right questions can open the door to meaningful dialogue. Here are a few you can bring along:

• “How does my child seem to learn best in your classroom?”
• “Have you noticed whether they respond better to visuals, discussions, or hands-on tasks?”
• “Are there any areas where you think a different approach might help them stay more engaged?”
• “How do you accommodate different learning styles in your lessons?”
• “Is there anything we can do at home to reinforce what they’re learning in class?”

These questions not only show that you’re involved—they also encourage the teacher to reflect on your child’s unique needs.

Collaborative Strategies for Classroom Adaptations

Once you’ve opened up the conversation, the next step is finding simple, practical ways to adapt to your child’s learning style within the classroom.

Some ideas you and the teacher might explore:

• For visual learners: seating near the board, printed visuals, mind maps, or slide decks
• For auditory learners: verbal summaries, class discussions, or recorded lessons
• For kinesthetic learners: movement breaks, hands-on materials, or role-playing activities

Not every change needs to be major—sometimes it’s the small adjustments that make the biggest impact.

And if the school allows, you can also talk about how technology or flexible seating might support different learning needs.