Podcasts are a highly underrated teaching tool.
We’ve been touting the wonders of audiobooks for years. But when are podcasts going to get their time to shine?
Now’s as good a time as any.
In the past, we’ve shared why podcasts are a handy resource for all types of learners — visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.
Today, we’re going to tell you why auditory learners, in particular, can benefit from listening to podcasts at home and at school.
Let’s get started.
The 3 Learning Styles: A Quick Explainer
In case you aren’t familiar with the three different learning styles, here’s a very brief explanation of each.
Visual — Visual learners learn by reading or seeing pictures.
Auditory — Auditory learners learn by hearing and speaking.
Kinesthetic — Kinesthetic (or tactile) learners learn by touching and doing.
Characteristics of an Auditory Learner
Does your child absorb information best by listening? If you aren’t sure, check out some common characteristics you might see in an auditory learner.
- talks frequently, to themselves and others
- enjoys music
- prefers spoken instructions over written instructions
- has trouble concentrating when there is too much or not enough background noise
- tends to read with whispering lip movements
- remembers names easily
- prefers lecture and discussion over written assignments
- likes verbal praise
- excellent listener
- skilled storyteller
- has great communication skills
- does well with oral presentations
- likes to be read to
Obviously, this doesn’t fully encompass all of the traits of auditory learners, but it gives you a good overview and can offer some insight into whether or not your child learns best by hearing.
Benefits of Podcasts For Auditory Learners
As mentioned above, podcasts are a helpful teaching tool no matter your child’s learning style. However, podcasts are particularly beneficial for auditory learners.
Here are a few reasons why.
- Podcast episodes are usually short and “to the point” making the information easy to digest.
- The ability to pause, rewind, and playback means auditory learners can listen as many times as necessary to allow the information to sink in.
- Auditory learners are often overwhelmed with the influx of visual information on a normal day at school and home: podcasts allow kids to rest their eyes while taking in knowledge through their ears.
- For auditory learners who struggle with reading, podcasts (and audiobooks) double as a way to take in necessary information while building foundational language skills.
- Thanks to today’s technology, podcasts are easily accessible on any smart device for kids who learn best by hearing.
- In podcasts with a narrative format, high-quality sound effects and talented voice actors often bring a story to life in a way that text on a page can’t.
A Pinna subscription provides all of these benefits — and more. For the cost of one cup of coffee a month, your whole family has access to a growing library of kid-safe, ad-free audio content for children ages 3-12.
The Wrap-Up
Pinna is an excellent tool for screen-free learning and fun all year round. Keep your kids engaged and entertained with Pinna’s comprehensive and growing library.
We’re all ears!
Which one will your family listen to first? We’d love to hear from you! Find us on all our social platforms – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest – or email us at contact@pinna.fm.
