The classroom is home to diverse and unique learners, which is why we must understand learning styles to reach students best. Intrapersonal learners are no exception and may be one of the most unique of all of the learners.
Because of their strong desire to process through information independently, it can be challenging to provide the intrapersonal learner with enough independent work time to satisfy them.
Intrapersonal learner’s independence is not their unique trait; they are also keenly aware of their sense of self and critical of their progress.
They are incredibly self-motivated and goal-oriented and prefer to process internally before discussing with others.
This blog series aims to understand and explain each learning style to serve students and children better.
If you can correctly identify your child’s learning style, you will be better prepared to support them with their at-home school work and advocate for their needs in the classroom.
What is an Intrapersonal Learner?
Intrapersonal learners prefer to learn alone. They tend to come off as shy and standoffish.
Intrapersonal learners are very self-motivated and enjoy studying on their own and spending time in their own thoughts. They are acutely aware of their own strengths and weaknesses and can often be their own worst critics.
Intrapersonal learners often spend a lot of time replaying history and analyzing the part they may have played in it.
They enjoy journaling and record-keeping.
Intrapersonal learners are unlikely to join team sports. These students prefer logic games and independent activities (for instance, golf or singles tennis would be more appealing to an intrapersonal learner).
Because of their self-motivated nature, intrapersonal learners are extremely driven and goal-oriented; however, they prefer to retreat to process and problem solve.
They often find having to talk with others to be time-consuming and pointless.
Common Struggles for the Intrapersonal Learner
The most obvious struggle for an intrapersonal learner is group work.
Intrapersonal learners do not enjoy the process of bouncing ideas off somebody and want to move at a pace that is comfortable for them.
They don’t like being randomly selected to answer questions and prefers a quiet environment away from distractions.
For all of these reasons, a traditional classroom could be challenging for an intrapersonal learner.
Applying Learning Style at School
Intrapersonal learners will have the most fun in classes that do not require them to engage with others to learn.
They prefer math over drama. If they are struggling in school, try to brainstorm ways to give them that space during the day to work. This may mean that they need to advocate for independent work time or ask a teacher if they can do the project alone.
If they are required to complete group projects, challenge them to break up the work so that they can work independently without having to collaborate.
Applying Learning Style at Home
When supporting your intrapersonal learner at home, it is important to remember that they need space to process independently.
The best thing that you can do for them is to give them a dedicated quiet space where they can work.
Try to provide them with space without checking in on them, instead let them “chew” on their work before swooping in to help. Limit distractions and have your child help create the space.
If they are struggling in specific classes, consider supplemental materials that they could work on independently. This will be more successful than a tutor (which might be too much for an intrapersonal learner).
If working on a family project (for instance, setting up Christmas lights), consider how your child might enjoy it most.
For example, they might not enjoy hanging ornaments on the Christmas tree with the family.
By giving them a job like setting up the Christmas village on the dining room table, you may find that they are more content to work and spend time around the family.
Engaging Activities for Intrapersonal Learners
Intrapersonal learners are highly reflective and enjoy activities where they can summarize thoughts, feelings, and events in their lives.
Intrapersonal learners enjoy the process of creating a blog, journal, or scrapbook of their thoughts and feelings.
In school, this could look like a reading journal containing their thoughts, feelings, and reactions after reading a novel. They also enjoy the process of reflective narratives.
They may find enjoyment in courses such as creative writing.
Intrapersonal learners also enjoy reading firsthand accounts from figures in history. They find this information to be more informative over a traditional textbook or secondary text.
They enjoy goal setting and planning for the future.
For the younger learner, consider smaller-scale projects such as printing out a single picture from an event in their life and have them talk about it.
Have your child explain what they were doing, how it made them feel, and what their favorite moment from that day was.
These types of probing questions guide them along in the reflection process. You can also try and set small goals for them to reach.
ArgoPrep Support for the Intrapersonal Learner
ArgoPrep strives to provide engaging material for all learning styles.
That is why there are numerous workbooks available that will appeal to the intrapersonal learner. Since an intrapersonal learner enjoys the challenge of working through problems on their own, they will thrive with any of the resources available through ArgoPrep.
Each workbook contains an explanation page at the beginning of each unit/week. This will give an intrapersonal learner the information they need in a highly informative way.
Of course, if your child needs additional support, ArgoPrep has you covered.
Packed with online video explanations, extra practice, and more. ArgoPrep has provided numerous solutions for every type of learner.
In Conclusion
In the traditional classroom, teachers aim to provide learning opportunities to all learning styles.
Class time with often features group work and collaborative learning.
This isn’t a huge deal to many styles of learners, but to the intrapersonal learner, it can feel like torture.
When you give your child the support they crave, they will be able to be successful in any type of class they are in!