You can help your

child figure it out. Once he plays to his own strength, he will probably do better with schoolwork.

Here’s an experiment to try over the course of three days. Get a dictionary and find 15 words that are new to your child. Write down the words and their definitions. Now make three lists of five words each.

• On the first day, give your child one list and tell him to learn the words with his eyes. He can study them and copy them over as much as he likes.

• On the second day, give your child a second list and tell him to learn the words with his ears. He should read the words and definitions out loud and listen as carefully as he can.

• On the third day, give your child a third list and tell him to learn the words with his hands and body. He should try to act them out, or perhaps move to music in a way that makes him think of the word’s meaning.

Once that is done, talk with him about which set of words he now thinks he understands best. Is it the “seeing” words, the “listening” words or the “doing” words?

Whichever he chooses probably represents his best learning style. Encourage him to use this style when doing homework and studying.

304 pp., out of print.

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