She avoids doing the work. She falls behind.

The next time your child complains about the subject she hates, try a new approach. Ask her to “try on” success.

What does that mean? Well, it’s a lot like trying on new clothes in the store. You have to put them on to see if they look good on you.

Have your child try that with good study habits. Ask her to think of a student who is good in a subject she dislikes. What does that person do?

For example, successful readers spend at least three hours a week reading outside of school. Successful math students do their homework every day. They ask the teacher questions when they don’t understand.

Once you have listed those behaviors, ask your child to give them a three-week trial. For the next three weeks, she’ll do the things that good students do.

You will probably begin to see a change. As children try on success, they start to see themselves as successful learners. Your child may even say that the subject she once hated is now among her favorites.

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