THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO DO HOMEWORK – PART 2

Part 2 of this series discusses the 2nd way your child may learn best – Auditory.

Auditory learners like to recite out loud and prefer hearing the information rather than reading it. They learn from listening, either from themselves or others.

Remember, though, to explain to your child that everyone learns differently and at a different pace. There is no right or wrong way to learn. It’s just different.

If, after taking the quiz, you have determined that your child is primarily an auditory learner, consider two changes:

1. Change the way your child studies and does homework per the suggestions below.
2. Point out that they might want to change how they pay attention during school.

An auditory learner needs to pay attention during lectures. Not allow themselves to be distracted thinking “they will read the material later.” Listening to the teacher will be the BEST time for them to learn so they shouldn’t miss that opportunity each day.

If they find a subject particularly challenging, they might consider recording the teacher on an app on their phone or some other device. This way they may re-listen to the lecture as often as they wish.

Have them ask permission first so the teacher doesn’t think they are playing a game on their phone, for example.

The challenge with studying and homework will be to find ways that compliments this learning style. Here are some ideas.

STUDYING AND HOMEWORK

An auditory learner learns best by explaining the material out loud to others. Remember the old adage, “The best way to learn is to teach.”

Depending on the age of the child this might mean “teaching” a parent or older sibling ( a very patient older sibling). For a younger child, have them sit at the dining room table and “teach” you what they are trying to learn – possibly a nightly ritual while you are making dinner.

Remember, it’s not so much that you learn what they are teaching as for them to be expressing the material verbally and hearing it themselves. In other words, keep on chopping the vegetables and nod in all the right places.

STUDY GROUP OPTION

WHERE IS EVERYBODY?

For an older child, a study group might be the right solution. Study groups are all about verbal communication and sharing with each other. I suggest you monitor the group, at first, and confirm that your child has an equal voice. Also, of course, that the group is made up of students close in ability and motivation. If a group is too difficult to coordinate, then possibly only one other student might help.

RECORDER APP

Remember that recorder app mentioned above? Well, this can be used at home, too. Allow your child to record their own voice and play it back. Not only might this be fun, but it could also aid in their learning. This might be particularly helpful when learning a language.

I could have used this idea in Sr. Roche’s class back in High School. He scared the beejeebers out of me and practicing with a recorder would have helped.

HEAR THEMSELVES THINK

Auditory learners need to, literally, hear themselves think. If there is too much going on in the kitchen, have them find a quiet place to study where they can recite their notes or homework out loud.  If there are word problems, for example, have them read the questions and answers out loud.

WORD ASSOCIATION

Word association is a great way for auditory learners to study and remember information. Mnemonic devices, such as songs or rhymes, are great to pair with facts they are supposed to memorize. Their brain will automatically recall the song and the information it represents.

TEACHER CONFERENCE

You might consider setting a conference meeting with your child’s teacher and explaining how your child learns best. The teacher may have more suggestions. They also may be able to adapt, best they can, to your child’s needs in the classroom. At the very least, making the teacher aware of how your child learns can only help.

PLAY-ACTING

Consider buying a lot of funny hats for your child.  Try the .99 cents store. While they are studying, for example History, they can don a hat for each historical character and use a matching funny voice. Not only are you adding a whimsical fun element to the arduous task of studying, but you are encouraging the verbalization that your child needs, anyway.

FINAL THOUGHTS

One possible challenge with the auditory learner is they may tend to want a constant audience, which can be difficult if not impossible to accomplish every day. Don’t allow this to become a habit. From the very start, alternate the above suggestions so the child becomes used to studying alone, also.

Photo by www.ilmicrofono.it