Do you wonder what you can do at home to build your child’s self esteem and even help them learn how to take care of themselves and grow into society?

Take time to find out your child's strength and what they are good at and promote their study and efforts in those areas. It could be dancing, music, sports or a hobby not directly related to their academic work.

Determine your child's learning style and approach academics in the way he or she learns best.

Infact, you may find that a combination of learning styles helps your child learn and remember best. Using the combination of learning kinesthetically plus visually watching other kids go through the motions - or watching an instructor do the activity is a further help in gaining competence and remembering.

Praise your child's efforts at home - interaction with siblings, keeping his room tidy, doing regular chores on time. A chalkboard on the wall with the child's name and a space for a check when a chore is done is a way to encourage success.

Keep an open dialog with all the school personnel who work with your child. Tell them your concerns. If the school has an open door policy where you can check into the school office for a pass and badge, and then go to the child's classroom unannounced, you will be able to get a glimpse of how your child learns.

Have lunch with your child at school occasionally and let him or her tell you how the day is going. Then, if there are problems you have a chance to troubleshoot before they escalate.

If you want to talk to other parents of children with learning disabilities here is a number to call at the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. (800.695.0285)

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Susan Kramer has been teaching yoga, meditation and dance to students of all ages and abilities since 1965.