Each of us learns in different ways. The phrase
"learning style" refers to the way we use our senses to maximize learning. Our
senses don’t work independently, but in concert with each other. Frequently,
people have a dominant style that is supported by a second one.
Parents who assist their young children in homework
and studying can benefit from knowing the differences among these learning
styles. It is especially useful for parents to understand that their children’s
preferred mode may differ from those of the parents. This is especially
significant because it means that the methods that were useful to parents when
they were students may not work as well with children who learn differently.
Each week of this
series we will look at a different learning style. The entire series will be
posted here.
Auditory learners
These learners learn best through their ears by
hearing/listening. Talking also figures into their learning. They will be able
to make the best use of instructions that are given verbally. When they read,
they are likely to do so out loud; as they get older, it may become more of a
whisper. At any rate, if you see that lips are moving while reading, it is a
good indication that you have an auditory learner.
A significant component of learning for an auditory
learner will be a study partner. By having such a person, there are
opportunities to talk and listen to another person about the material being
studied. With the youngest children, this other person may be parents or
siblings. As children go into the higher grades, this will mean that peers
become their study buddies.
How do you best work with an auditory learner?
These are some useful techniques for working with
these children:
- Read, spell, and write out loud.
- Play games with the language. Poetry, rhyming, and
word play are good means of doing this.
- When there are instructions, say them out loud.
- Use verbal, rather than written, language to talk
about all aspects of the job.
- After reading the material out loud, draw conclusions about
it by talking about it.
