What to Do if Your Child is Not a Visual Learner or Word Smart

Everyone has a dominate way of learning best (learning style). If your child is not a visual learner or (Word Smart), below are some suggestions to help strengthen and develop the "Word Smart" according to You're Smarter Than You Think, by Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D.:

1. Read aloud and listen to the sound of words. Read silly poems by people like Shel Silverstein, Ogden Nash, and Lewis Carroll, because they played with sounds and words.

2. Use the computer word processing software program when you write. Check your spelling, punctuation, and grammar on you own.

3. Close your eyes and picture what you read. For example, if you are reading a story that you are having a hard time understanding, shut your eyes and picture the scene, the characters, and the action in the story.

4. Physically play with words and letters. There are many magnetic word kits you can buy. Or make your own with paper and magnets that have adhesive on one side. Use a steel surface, practice your spelling, write poetry, or tell stories.

5. Talk about what you are reading with your friends or family. Form a study group to study spelling or vocabulary words.

6. Start keeping a journal of what you are thinking and feeling. Every time you write in the journal, you will be improving your writing, spelling, and grammar.

7. When you are reading a book or magazine, think about what kinds of animals and plants are in it. Write descriptions of the natural scenes you see.

Look at the 7 suggestions and pick 1 or 2 that your child would do well at or enjoy. It is important to develop and strengthen all parts of the brain. Knowing your learning style is a way to do just that.