Last month's article began with:

Would you force a child to wear shoes that don't fit? Then why force an education that doesn't fit!

and ended with:

As long as we force all kids to start reading at 4 or 5 years old, force everyone to use textbooks and workbooks, and force all students to learn and be tested in the same way, No Child Left Behind will never come to be. Many, many children will continue to be left behind, along with countless adults who are not able to reverse the damage done to them as students.

What are the alternatives? Tune in next month for Part 2!

Here is Part 2:

· Respect developmental timetables-realize that kids are ready for concepts at different ages, not when the State says they must be!

· Provide various ways for kids to learn and do assignments, such as games, books on tape, art supplies, building activities, scrapbooks, experiments, demonstrations, etc.

· Instead of using destructive labels, look at learning styles...for example, Picture and Hands-on learners are often labeled dyslexic, Inventing and/or Thinking/Creating learners most often end up being labeled ADD.

Impossible, you say, with a roomful of students? Not impossible at all. The best teachers have figured out how to do it even with all the constraints put on them. And if you are homeschooling, customizing to your child's learning style is a snap!

Whether we are talking about the classroom or the homeschool, if your goal is learning success for EVERY child, you can do it. You can be a Success Coach for the children in your life!

Learning always brings new opportunities. The question is: Are we offering students opportunities for failure or for success?

We are calling on parents and teachers to be Learning Success Coaches for every child. Find out how each child learns, make learning relevant and enjoyable, make teaching engaging.

Knowing your students' learning styles takes the pressure off of everyone. Why not find out as much as you can about how students learn and give them what they need to succeed! Whether it be hands-on activities, audio books, visual materials, or allowing them to doodle or work on the floor...remember, we are all different and there is not one way that is the "better" or "right" way.

Many teachers and parents learn a lot about their students' learning styles through observation. If you would like help with this, consider using our learning style profile or contact us for a consultation or coaching.

Meanwhile, if you'd like to find out your learning style or your child's TODAY, go to:

http://my.blastoffnetwork.com/LearningSuccess

• Do you know adults who would like to have a high school diploma?
• What is holding them back?
• Did they have negative experienes when they were in school?
• Are they afraid it will be more of the same and they won't be able to do it?
• Were they labeled as ADD, ADHD, Learning Disabled, or Dyslexic?

• receive a customized program, based on his or her learning styles
• discover his/her natural gifts and talents
• become confident and empowered to reach their goals and follow their dreams