Abstract: The electronic learning aid of the present invention includes a scanning instrument for reading coded indicia which control the sound generated by the apparatus. In accordance with the present invention the coded indicia may be arranged to indicate a sub-part of nonspoken sound to be recalled from speech memory within the apparatus. In addition, a repeat command may also be entered via the scanning instrument. Upon entry of a repeat command, which includes a number indicating the number of repeats to be performed, the electronic learning aid repeatively generates sound corresponding to the stored element of nonspoken sound. This invention advantageously enables such an electronic learning aid to generate relatively long sound effects from short coded indicia.