About a book...

So, I'm reading a book and it's really good! My MIL gave it to me. I thought I would share a little of it. It's called "The Way They Learn"-how to discover and teach to your child's strengths. I'm enjoying reading about myself just as much about my kids personalities. Ok, so here's a little in chapter one.

Perception: The way we take in information.

Concrete- This quality lets register information directly through our five senses: sight, smell touch, taste and hearing. When we are using our concrete abilities, we are dealing with what is here and now-the tangible, the obvious. We are not looking for hidden meanings or trying to make relationships between ideas or concepts. The keys phrase simply stated is "It is what it is"

Abstract: This quality allows us to visualize, to conceive ideas, to understand or believe what we can't actually see. When we are using this abstract quality, we are using our intuition, our intellect, our imagination: We are looking beyond what is to the more subtle implications. The key phrase for abstract is "It's not always what it seems."

Although everyone uses both concrete and abstract perceptual abilities every day, each person is more comfortable using one over the other. This becomes his or her dominant ability. 



Now on to ORDERING: The way we use the information we perceive.
Once we've taken the information in, we all use two methods or ordering what we know. Accordering to Gregorc, the two ordering abilities are sequential and random.

SEQUENTIAL: A sequential method of ordering allowing our minds to organize information in a linear step-by-step manner. When using sequential ability, we are following a logical train of thought, a conventional approach to dealing with information. Those who have strong sequential ordering abilities may prefer to have a plan and follow it, rather than relying on impulse. Their key phrase is "Follow the steps"

RANDOM: Random ordering lets our minds organize information by chunks and with no particular sequence. When we are using our random ability, we may often be able to skip steps in a procedure and still produce the desire result. We might even start in the middle or begin at the end and work backwards. Those with a strong random way of ordering information may seem impulsive or more spontaneous. It appears as if they do not have a plan. Their key phrase is "Just get it done"

So everyone you can pick one of the first 2 and then one of the second 2 and that gives you your learning styles. And this is to help you find your child's too.

Here's a little brake down of the 4 different combinations. Look for yours.

Concrete Sequential (CS): Hardworking, conventional, accurate, stable, dependable, consistent, factual and organized.

Abstract Random (AR) sensitive, compassionate, perceptive, imaginative, idealistic, sentimental, spontaneous and flexible.

Abstract Sequential (AS): analytical, objective, knowledgeable, thorough, structured, logical, deliberate and systematic

Concrete Random (CR): quick, intuitive, curious, realistic, creative, innovative, instinctive and adventurous. 

Now that we have all the info to figure us out I want to share a story from the book. The hysterical thing about the story is that this same situation happened to me and the hubby just two weeks ago. I was dying laughing while reading.

I (Kathy am a strong CR) Now onto the story. "One year it was almost Christmas, and my (AR) sister Sandee, one of her small children, and I were Christmas shopping in a department store. When we got to the escalator with the stroller, Sandee noticed a sign that said, "no strollers allowed on the escalator." While she was reading the sign, I was busy loading the stroller onto the moving stairway. Sandee was horrified. "The sign says no strollers on escalator!" she cried. I looked at her. "Oh are the stroller police going to get us?" I asked sarcastically. " Sandee, this sign is for people who don't know how safely put  a stroller on an escalator. "Since I do know it doesn't apply to me." For me it was simply a guide line.

OK, this exact story happened to us 2 weeks ago. Because I had both husband and brother who are rule keepers they won and we took the elevator. But I tell you I didn't like it. LOL. Everything about (CR) seems to fit me and my daughter for that matter. I with out a doubt understand this everyday. We both are strong willed and butt heads a lot. HA! Sure does make an interesting family unit here. :)


Please read, laugh and post what you are. Thanks!  :D