Teaching to Different Learning Styles: Making Financial Education Stick with the 4×4 WAYS Approach

Blog > Teaching to Different Learning Styles: Making Financial Education Stick with the 4×4 WAYS Approach

We've all experienced it—that glazed look in students' eyes when financial topics arise. The secret to breaking through? Understanding that not all students learn the same way. By employing a "4 times, 4 ways" approach to financial education, you can ensure every student grasps essential money concepts, regardless of their learning style.

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Understanding the 4×4 WAYS Approach

4 TIMES – This is the concept that we learn best through repetition. You know that old saying – Rinse and repeat? Research shows that messages have to be repeated 3-20 times before they get committed to memory – The brain reacts really well to repetition, which is why we’ve all practiced a speech in front of a mirror or repeated the 3 things that are on our grocery list or rehearsed for something important we need to communicate.

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So if 4 TIMES is about repetition, then what’s 4 WAYS about?

4 WAYS is about 4 of the different ways you can communicate a message to get it to effectively stick! These ways are: 

1. Visual

2. Verbal 

3. Written

4. Play

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Tailoring to Visual Learners

Visual learners comprise approximately 65% of the population and thrive when information is presented graphically:

1. Utilize colorful charts showing compounding interest

2. Implement visual tools like the 9Grid™

3. Create visual breakdowns of needs versus wants

4. Use infographics comparing different career paths

Engaging Auditory Learners

For students who learn best through listening:

1. Facilitate group discussions about financial topics

2. Implement peer-to-peer teaching moments

3. Use storytelling to illustrate financial concepts

4. Create audio summaries of key lessons

Supporting Reading/Writing Learners

These traditional learners benefit from text-based information:

1. Provide supplementary reading materials

2. Assign reflective writing exercises about financial goals

3. Create checklists for financial milestones

4. Encourage journaling about financial habits

Connecting with Kinesthetic Learners

Hands-on learners need to physically engage with material:

1. Provide physical workbooks for note-taking and calculations

2. Create interactive budgeting exercises with real numbers

3. Role-play common financial scenarios

4. Develop financial games that require physical participation

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The Benefits of Multi-Modal Learning

Research shows that retention dramatically increases when students encounter information multiple times through different modalities. One beauty school reported significantly higher financial literacy test scores after implementing a multi-modal approach, with students demonstrating 32% better retention of key concepts.

By adapting your teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles, you're not just teaching financial literacy—you're ensuring that every student has the opportunity to genuinely absorb these critical life skills, setting them up for long-term financial success in the beauty and wellness industry.