Auditory learners process and remember information best when they hear it and repeat it. You can use this knowledge to help your auditory learner customize her study habits. By recognizing her learning type and focusing on her strengths, you can help her succeed—even in subjects she  struggled with previously.

Try some of these teacher-tested learning styles strategies to help your auditory learner boost her comprehension and retention.

  • Read aloud and repeat. Have your child use a highlighter to mark key concepts in handouts, textbooks, and written instructions. Then have her read the highlighted material aloud. When she needs to memorize facts—like the parts of a cell or spelling words—ask her to repeat the facts aloud to you several times. At school, encourage her to volunteer to read aloud to the class or a learning partner.
  • Record and review. To boost retention, have your child record lectures on a hand-held tape recorder. (Get the teacher’s permission first). She can then review material at home, while riding in the car, etc. If she takes written notes, have her read them into the recorder and play them back to improve comprehension. She can also tape herself reading chapters from her textbooks and then listen to the tape to review.
  • Discuss. Challenge your child to explain new concepts to you. If she’s studying photosynthesis, ask her questions like “What role does the sun play?” When she has required reading for English class, prompt her to retell the main points of the story, poem, or essay in her own words.
  • Practice word association. Encourage your child to use rhymes, acronyms, and jingles to help recall facts more easily, like “In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue”; or Roy G. Biv (the colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet).
  • Use audiotapes and CDs. Have her ask the local librarian if a required book is available on tape. Tip: To increase comprehension, have her follow the text as she listens to the book.
  • Participate. Urge your child to participate in class discussions and debates as well as ask questions during lectures to clarify concepts. Also, encourage your child to join study groups or find a study partner so she can discuss materials with peers.
  • Go to the head of the class. Remind your child to sit in the front of the class so she can hear easily and stay focused on the teacher. Of the three primary learning styles (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic), auditory learners get the most out of this tip.
  • Ask for help. Encourage your child to ask friends and family members to quiz her orally as she prepares for tests. Or encourage her to ask her teacher to  explain written concepts orally to boost comprehension and retention.