Learning Styles: a relationship with information

Have you ever noticed that one thing might capture your child's attention and inspire learning, but something else doesn't? Have you ever tried to harness that thing and repeat it in your lessons? One way of looking at it is to consider your child's relationship with information. I have found the Gregorc model helpful in revealing this relationship with information. The Gregorc model breaks it down thus:

Abstract vs Concrete
Sequential vs Random

Abstract deals with Ideas, the deeper hidden meaning, while Concrete deals with the things we can see, hear, touch - the things that are tangible.

Sequential deals with order (step 1, step 2, step 3...) while Random is spontaneous; what is important right now?

These qualities come together to form 4 basic personality types: Concrete Sequential, Abstract Sequential, Abstract Random, nad Concrete Random. Of course, no one is locked solely into one personality type exclusively, and can have qualities from each one. But there is usually one that predominates.

The reason I find this so important is that it tends to define the child's relationship with his parent (as parent and as teacher), and it also defines his relationship with information. Here are two examples:

A Concrete Sequential's relationship with information is just plain facts and nothing more. No frills, no stories to draw you in. If you try to capture the attention of a CS with creative, open-ended assignments, with deep-thinking analysis, you will have one very confused student. That is not the relationship a CS has with information.

An Abstract Random, though, has a very personal relationship with information. She feels a connection with information. History isn't just facts, it's living breathing human beings! A rock isn't just a rock, but a sparkling gem or an item that holds a secret waiting to be discovered (a fossil!)

When considering your approach as a teacher, tudor, or homeschool parent, think about your student's relationship with information. When you have seen them learning, what was it that drew their focus? And why do you think that is?