In my series on unique learning styles, I’ve been covering the four main types: Concrete Random (CR), Concrete Sequential (CS), Abstract Random (AR), and Abstract Sequential (AS). While many people are familiar with terms like visual, auditory, or hands-on learners, learning styles actually go deeper than how we take in information. These four styles describe how we process, organize, and interact with information, not just how we absorb it. For example, someone might be a visual learner, but whether they thrive with structured, step-by-step visuals (CS) or prefer exploring creative, abstract images (AR) depends on their dominant learning style. Recognizing this helps us better understand and support each learner’s unique approach to learning.
*This post contains affiliate links. This means I may make a commission if you were to purchase from one of these links. Have no fear, I do not recommend anything I haven’t already tried for myself. The books and resources I reference here have changed my thinking and I highly recommend them to anyone who will listen.*
Why It Matters
I have been homeschooling for over five years now, and I am just now understanding these unique learning styles. It has been a game-changer. I am starting to really see my children for who they are as learners, and what they really need from me. That can come in the form of what they need me to do, and what they need me to stop doing…the latter being the more important it seems. Knowing and understanding your child’s learning style is paramount for guiding them in their education. Whether you are just starting your family, or sending your children off to college and beyond, this series is for you.
It just so happens that my family of four represents every learning style mentioned above. (CS, CR, AS, AR) Gotta keep things interesting, right? While I found it quite easy to determine my two son’s dominant learning styles, it was a bit more difficult to determine my own. Thankfully my husband was able to make some observations and helped me out a bit. In this post, I will focus on some of my observations on his dominant Concrete Sequential (CS) style.
An Important Note
It is important to note here that we do not all fit neatly into one certain box of learning styles. We all have a dominant learning style, but that doesn’t mean you do not use the other learning styles in different parts of your life. It is the same with intelligences, which I will discuss in another post, they never work alone.
It’s vital that you are willing to work with a variety of learning styles. If you have four children, it is possible you have all four learning styles represented…don’t let that scare you. I am here to help! Plus there is TONS of information out there on these subjects and more! I have found this site to be of help in briefly describing each learning style.
The book “The Way They Learn” by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias is the book that catapulted me into learning more and more! And to think, it was a book that the library had in their “Withdrawn” section for free!
How The Learning Styles May Work Together
For instance, as I am writing this post I am realizing that my CS husband has a very strong Sequential style when it comes to working in his office job and dealing with tasks related to work. However, as I observed him last night I couldn’t help but marvel at his more Random approach to baking and creating things in the kitchen.
For example, while cooking or baking (which he doesn’t do too much) he often throws random ingredients into the bowl and will go to work with a confident determination. It’s kinda cute actually. (Seriously, dont tell him I said that, he would cringe.) From my vantage point, I am appalled at what he is doing…You should follow a recipe for that bread you are baking! But guess what? It was delicious!! As he sat on the couch to eat his new creation, I found myself craving more than what he was willing to share with me! Guess I am gonna have to ask him to make that again.
(For those wondering it wasn’t a fluffy, complicated bread, just a simple flour and almond milk and a little bit of salt and oil…I think, again I stayed out of it.) This example is one of many, I am sure. It goes to illustrate that we may have a dominant sequential learning style in much of our life, but at times our more random styles come out when we need them to. The opposite can be the case as well.
Understanding The Term Concrete Sequential Learner
Do you know someone who thrives on structure, needs clear instructions, and prefers hands-on tasks with practical results? You may be dealing with a Concrete Sequential learner. While I do not have a child with this dominant learning style, my husband’s methodical and detail-oriented approach has given me a glimpse into the CS mindset. (Just don’t tell him I said that)
We all have ways we perceive and order information. Our perception can either be Concrete or Abstract. And how we order information can either be Random or Sequential.
A Concrete perception would be taking in information with your five senses. Dealing with what is here and now, what we can see, hear, feel, touch, and taste. We are not looking for some hidden meaning or concepts. An Abstract perception allows a person to use their intuition, intellect, and imagination. Believing what we can’t actually see.
A Sequential way of ordering would look like a step-by-step, linear way of following instructions. Whereas a Random way of ordering may present itself in a person who is often able to skip steps or start in the middle of the instructions, and somehow still come out with the right answer, or product.
What Does The Concrete Sequential Learning Style Look Like?
A Concrete Sequential learner may look like someone who prefers working with tangible, real-world information. This is the Concrete part. The Sequential part may look like someone who thrives on step-by-step instructions, in a logical order.
Characteristics of the Concrete Sequential
- Detail-oriented and precise
- Prefers hands-on, practical activities such as a step-by-step recipe, or building a birdhouse
- Enjoy clear rules, routines, and structures
- Strong preference for factual information over theory
Strengths of CS Learners
- Highly organized and methodical.
- Reliable and task-oriented
- Excel in following instructions and completing tasks accurately.
- Strong memory for details and factual information.
- Thrive in environments with clear expectations and routines.
Much of the Concrete Sequential (CS) description fits my husband to a T. He’s incredibly detail-oriented and has become the go-to guy in his office, known for his reliability and precision. While this can be a blessing, it sometimes feels like a curse—being the dependable one means the weight of responsibility often falls on him. On the lighter side, his obsession with order and cleanliness hasn’t gone unnoticed. The cleaning lady even leaves him little ‘awards’ in the form of sticky notes for having the cleanest office. If that’s not peak CS energy, I don’t know what is.
Challenges CS Learners May Face
As with all learning styles, there are also challenges. Concrete Sequential Learners may have the following challenges:
- May struggle with abstract thinking or open-ended creativity.
- Frustrated by disorganization or unclear instructions.
- Rigid thinking: may have difficulty adapting to sudden changes.
- Can become overly focused on perfectionism or minor details.
How to Support and Teach CS Learners
- Create structure and routines:
- Use checklists, planners, or task cards to outline expectations clearly.
- Keep lesson plans organized with step-by-step instructions.
- Use hands-on and practical activities:
- Science experiments, math manipulatives, and building models.
- Real-life applications like budgeting, cooking, or measuring.
- Be clear and consistent:
- Provide direct instructions and explain why each step matters.
- Avoid vague or overly creative assignments without clear objectives.
- Incorporate tangible rewards and results:
- CS learners are motivated by visible, measurable outcomes.
- For example: “After completing this project, you’ll have a fully functional birdhouse.”
Tips for Parents with CS Learners
- Keep the environment organized:
- Provide a tidy and structured workspace.
- Use color-coded folders, labels, and checklists to keep things in order.
- Use real-life examples:
- Connect lessons to real-world applications (e.g., calculating grocery costs, measuring furniture).
- Allow time for thorough completion:
- CS learners prefer to finish tasks properly rather than rush through them.
- Provide enough time for accuracy and precision.
How Learning Styles Come Out in the “Real World”
One moment that clearly revealed the difference between my husband’s Concrete Sequential (CS) style and my own Abstract Sequential (AS) thinking happened during a simple household task—putting away dishes. While putting dishes away, I placed the mugs on our display rack in the order they were dried, focusing on efficiency so I could move on to the next chore. My husband, on the other hand, offered me some ‘advice’ on how he does it more efficiently (in his mind). He arranged the mugs intentionally, with the ones featuring my initial ‘A’ as sort of bookends, creating a balanced and organized display. I was a bit annoyed, assuming he had the freedom to think about mug placement because he wasn’t in a rush. But in reality, it was our learning styles on full display—his CS need for order and methodical precision versus my AS focus on the bigger picture and moving on to the next task.
It made me wonder—how often do little moments like this happen in our daily lives, where we chalk up differences to someone just being ‘annoying’ or overly particular? But what if it’s really just our unique learning styles at play? It’s interesting to think about how understanding these differences could bring more clarity (and maybe a little more patience) to our relationships.
Supporting Your Dominant Concrete Sequential Learner
Do you recognize any Concrete Sequential traits in your child? I focused this post on my observation of my husband, but maybe you see your teenager, or ten-year-old in these examples. It is vital that we work alongside these unique learning styles, not against them. Do not insist that just because you like to do things a certain way, your child must also do things that way. You may be speaking a foreign language to your child!
When you learn to recognize and embrace their natural way of thinking, you’ll not only reduce frustration—you’ll empower them to thrive in their own unique way. After all, the goal isn’t to change how they learn but to support how they learn best.
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