From one main idea, our brains tend to branch off to

other ideas. Those are linked to still more ideas.

A great way to learn something new is to create a link to something you already know. Here, a mind map can be helpful.

How can your teen mind map? He’ll need a pencil, an eraser and a sheet of blank paper. In the center of the paper, have him write down the most important word or short phrase of the subject he’s learning. Circle it.

Around the circle, write other important words. Use overlapping circles or arrows to connect items. At this point, your teen should work quickly. Don’t analyze. The goal is to get as many ideas down on paper as possible.

Now edit. He might move some items close to related ideas. Color can help organize ideas.

Then he can continue working outward, adding new information to what he already knew. As the map expands, your teen will get more and more specific.

When it is finished, your teen will have his personal map of what he already knew with what he has learned.

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