The Concrete Random Learning Style

Concrete Random learners are curious, hands-on, creative, and dynamic. They can make you dizzy, startle you, amaze you with their inventiveness, and make you laugh and cry in rapid succession. Things tend to go far better when you are teaching or parenting a Concrete Random dominant child if you take an approach to leading them that is different from how you would approach other learning styles.

Someone once said that if you throw a cat in the air, it will always land on its feet. I think of this when I talk about Concrete Random kids, such as my son. One of my favorite memories illustrates his ability to think on his feet, rapidly and charmingly. 

Think Quickly

We had a rule in our house: “Shut up” was not allowed in conversation. I explained to the kids that "shut up" was strictly forbidden because it was rude, and furthermore it showed a complete disregard for the other person’s right of self-expression. 

One day when I was in the kitchen and the kids were upstairs, I heard my son yell, “SHUT UP!” Startled, I went swiftly up the stairs only to halt midway as he continued equally loudly: “… is NOT a word we use in this house!” What could I say? He made his point to his sister, but when he heard me marching upstairs, he rapidly fixed it. 

Characteristics of the Concrete Random Learner

• Solves problems creatively

• Hands-on

• Makes real but original products

• Self-directed, driven by what interests him

• Enjoys variety both in their environment and in what they work at

• Thinks on their feet

• Gets in and out of tight spots with equal ease

• Inspires action in others

• Charming, friendly, and charismatic

• Sees many options and many solutions to problems

• Can visualize future events

• Accepting and caring for many kinds of people

• Risk-taker 

What Is Hard for the Concrete Random Learner

• Being told exactly what to do and how to do it

• Being told it can’t be done

• Having to follow steps someone else made up

• Routines, especially ones that are strict and inflexible

• Having to redo something once it is finished

• Formalities, formal reports, pomp, fads

• Completing long-term projects

• Pacing themselves and working within specific time frames

• Having to give up on something or someone

• Having to explain how they arrived at a solution or answer

• Having to choose only one option

• Locking themselves into something long term 

Understanding the Concrete Random Learner

It is only natural when leading a CR to want to clamp down to “control” their innovative, unexpected actions. The interesting fact, however, is that the more we clamp down and try to control their actions, the more they will fight back. It is not that they are fighting us or the rules, they are fighting the suffocation of having their freedom taken away. 

It is often hardest for the Concrete Sequential adult to embrace the Concrete Random learner because to the CS, “the right way to do it” is paramount, and the CR isn’t doing things the accepted way. Rather than perceiving the Concrete Random as innovative and experiential, they may be perceived as rebellious. 

Strategies for Home

• State the goal clearly and let them come up with the steps to attain it. For instance, “You can go to bed any time you want, just so lights are out at 8:00.” “You don’t have a curfew as long as you come in at a sensible time.” Later, “I won’t make rules for you, as long as you make wise choices for yourself.”

• Encourage them to evaluate music, movies, and books rather than stating what they can or cannot read, watch, or listen to. Spend time discussing those things together without being didactic.

• Give them ample opportunity to make choices early in life when choices are less life-altering. I said to my son, “We need a lawnmower. This is the budget. It should be self-propelled so your sister or I can also use it. Go pick any one you want that meets these criteria.” There was no risk to me in asking my son to make this purchase. It was a perfect way to encourage him to make an important decision. He knew the goal, and he got to hear the magical words “any one you want.”

• Let them make mistakes and learn from those mistakes while still young and at home rather than choosing for them all the time in order to prevent a less desired outcome. Remember that the CR needs to find out firsthand whenever possible.

• Determine that your relationship with them is of the greatest importance and maintain it at all costs. Determine to stay with them as they learn about their world and what will happen if they try this or that. 

Strategies for the Classroom

• Be very clear about what you really want from this child. If you want them to be good at following directions or do their homework every night, I’m not so sure how it will go. If, however, your goal is that they learn the material, you might remain open to how they learn it. Homework every night might not be the most productive for them. Make a deal (CRs LOVE making deals!) that as long as they show they know the stuff they won’t have to do their homework. I can pretty well guarantee they will learn the material perfectly!

• Don’t insist that it can only be done one way. This is like saying, “sic ‘em,” to a bulldog. Clearly state the goal, show an example of a project or problem done correctly (as to the answer), and while you can show the child how you would do it, don’t insist they follow the steps exactly. Give them room to create something new. Rather than always insisting on a written paper, make room for other ways to show learning such as interviewing a classmate, making a tangible project, creating a poster that will show all the points of learning, or better yet, asking them to create a product that will showcase all they know.

• Offer a variety of projects rather than specifying exactly how the project should be done. For instance, it is totally safe to say, “You are required to do a science project,” as long as you also say, “You are totally free to choose the topic and how it looks.” Next, you can also say, “There should be these particular components included so I know you understand the learning piece.” What the CR will hear first is the phrase “totally free” and as long as you say that, you can also stipulate what you need them to do.

• Be open to the challenges without taking it personally. Remember, if you think something has to be done one way, be certain your CR students will immediately set out to show you the myriad ways it also can be done. Remember you are dealing with creative thinkers who thrive on original ideas and products, and who just really need to find out for themselves, “What will happen if I do this?” and “How many ways can this be done?” The more black and white (sequential) you are in your approach in the classroom, the more you will inspire your CR students to be very colorful (random).

Conclusion

When we understand our own learning styles and the learning styles of those we interact with, it has a profound effect on our interactions and relationships. If you would like to learn more about identifying learning styles, check out our blog, The Importance of Finding Your Child's Learning Style.

Need help finding your learning style, or those of a child or student? Check out these helpful resources:

What is my Dominant Learning Style?
Characteristics of the Dominant Learning Styles
Gregorc's Style Delineator 

If you have any questions, please contact us!