How Do You Learn?

When someone tells you their name, do you remember it? Personally, I have a hard time remembering a person’s name, even if they tell me several times. I’ve been told the trick of repeating the name back in conversation, but that always seems a little odd to me. It goes something like this:

Me: Hi, I’m Debbie.

Them: My name is Ann.

Me: Ann, it’s nice to meet you Ann. What do you do for a living, Ann? So tell me, Ann, are you enjoying the meeting, Ann.

The idea is if you repeat the person’s name several times, it moves it from short term memory to long term memory. I try to say it over and over to myself to help me remember it. In the end, it just doesn’t work very well for me. If you happen to be wearing a name tag, though, I have a much better chance of remembering your name. I am a visual learner and seeing the name moves it much quicker into my long term memory than any amount of repeating.

Most people with Down syndrome are visual learners as well. This can make school difficult because teachers do a lot of auditory teaching. Everyone learns differently, and it is hard in a classroom to cater to all learning styles. For instance, MA does not sit still. I swear the girl has to be standing to hear a thing and she is always doing something with her hands. This does not mean she is not intelligent. It may seem she is not paying attention to you and yet, when asked, she can answer the question. People with Down syndrome have many obstacles to overcome when learning. Understanding these obstacles can make learning more fun for everyone involved.

Try these activities:

1. Simon Says – Tell your kids, “Simon says put your hand on your chin” but as you say this, put YOUR hand on the top of your head. Watch if your kids get it right. Some may, which means they are auditory learners. Others will get confused by your different signals. They have to stop and think what they were told versus what they saw. People with Down syndrome struggle with this all day long and it can be frustrating. If their classmates understand the difference in learning styles, it is my hope they will be more patient and helpful to those with Down syndrome.
2. Tell me the colors – If your child isn’t reading yet, this will be a very simple activity for him.