By Mira & Mark Halpert

Home school parents have called us from around the country. They have a smart child who is struggling to read and frustrated. They want to know:

Why their bright child is struggling -- is it dyslexia, an attention issue, a vision issue, or …?
Is there an option that would work for their child that was affordable?
Could they get the help they needed to make the investment worthwhile?

We are Mira Halpert M.Ed. and Mark Halpert. We have four children, two of whom struggled to learn to read.
Mira, who has her Masters in Education from the University of Michigan, studied the available research and discovered that our children were two of 20 million students who learn best when they see and experience information.

Mira developed the 3D Learner Program® that helped daughter, Julie, to improve her reading comprehension 4.2 grade levels in 7 months. Julie later earned her Masters in Education from the University of Florida. Mira’s son, Michael’s reading score improved by 40 points within that same school year. He is now an Honor’s College student.

Since 1997, we have helped over 1,000 students with both our 1-on-1 3D Learner Experience Program ® as well as our 3D Learner Home Learning System®

We know these students are often smart and learn differently and we label them GOLD Students (TM) Gifted Operating with a Learning Difference, but they have one, two or even five of the following challenges:
They learn best when they see and experience information, so lessons must be modeled for them.
They need to master sight word vocabulary and pattern recognition before phonics will work – sight words (e.g. the, and, but, except) do not generate a picture for these students and they often do not recognize words they have seen on the previous page, or even the previous line.

They have difficulty paying attention to that which is boring. Material needs to be engaging in order for them to be enrolled in the lessons.

They have visual perception and other sensory processing issues -- skipping words or lines when reading, reversing numbers or letters or difficulty copying/writing information. Brain and body integration exercises need to be used to build the necessary brain circuitry needed for optimal learning.
Their self-esteem is challenged and they become anxious or lethargic.

We know that Informed, Empowered and Proactive Parents are the best defense. We have developed the following 7-point plan to help you help your student.

7 Tips For GOLD Students -- Will Help Others Too
1. Before starting your school day, do physical exercises (e.g. jumping jacks, patty cake, brisk walk). Do movements that activate both sides of your child’s body and brain.
2. Use a visual schedule to make your student aware of what you are planning for the day-and cross out activities once they are finished. Celebrate the feeling of accomplishment and completion.
3. Include frequent breaks - but plan what is to be accomplished immediately AFTER the break.
4. Have your student drink water before they start working and periodically throughout their day.
5. If your student does not understand a concept, find a life experience that they can relate to that exemplifies the concept.
6. Try using books on tape (or CD) – but have your student follow along as the text is being read; for instance, turn on the text option on your television!
7. Add as much emotion to your teaching as you can -- when you have a choice on what to read, pick books your child will enjoy -- GOLD Students often have attention issues to that which is boring and can stay engaged for hours if they are involved - be creative and expressive when reading.

Your child can struggle with more traditional programs that bore them, or they can blossom when you capitalize on their strengths, address their issues and make small changes to get them ready to learn.

To Make The Difference, Consider
An assessment for learning differences and attention and/or vision issues. -- we offer a Free Learning Survey and a more in-depth assessment at On-line Assessment.

Consider more formal programs to do exercises before starting work -- we use Brain Gym®, Primal Reflexes®, and the Freeze Frame® Biofeedback® system. To understand why exercises can be invaluable for all students, parents and especially GOLD Students go to Exercises That Train The Brain
Consider hands-on programs to improve sight word vocabulary, pattern recognition and reading comprehension -- Form a group and we will come and train you. For more information go to Home Systems.

For more information you can either contact us directly at 1-866-411-2578 or visit our website at www.3dlearner.com and take our Free Learning Survey. M.H.+M.H. ■