I had the pleasure of traveling to the US and studying with Don Blackerby, after doing his training I was convinced he had the secret of why and how students were not reaching their full potential which is when I decided this is what I wanted to do. Since then I have worked with many students teaching them what I learnt and realising from the results they get, this is something that every student should know.
It is in today’s fast-paced world, the education system often struggles to meet the unique needs of every student. Many children, especially those who learn differently or face challenges such as ADHD, may find themselves falling through the cracks. Dr. Don Blackerby, an educator and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) expert, dedicated his career to helping struggling learners succeed by teaching them how to learn rather than just what to learn. His innovative techniques have helped countless children rediscover the joy of learning and break free from academic struggles.
Why Do Some Students Struggle in Traditional Education?
Many students struggle in school not because they lack intelligence, but because they haven’t been taught the right learning strategies that fit their unique processing style. Dr. Blackerby identified key reasons why some children fail to thrive in traditional classrooms:
- A One-Size-Fits-All Approach - Schools often rely on standardized teaching methods that don’t accommodate different learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic).
- Lack of Engagement - Some students disengage from learning because the material isn’t presented in a way that stimulates their curiosity or creativity.
- Negative Learning Experiences - Repeated failures or negative feedback from teachers and peers can lead to low self-esteem and a lack of confidence.
- Inattention and Distractability - Children with ADD/ADHD or other attention challenges may struggle to focus in structured environments that don’t allow for movement or alternative learning methods.
- Poor Learning Strategies - Many students are not taught how to process and retain information effectively, leading to frustration and academic failure.
- A One-Size-Fits-All Approach - Schools often rely on standardized teaching methods that don’t accommodate different learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic).
- Lack of Engagement - Some students disengage from learning because the material isn’t presented in a way that stimulates their curiosity or creativity.
- Negative Learning Experiences - Repeated failures or negative feedback from teachers and peers can lead to low self-esteem and a lack of confidence.
- Inattention and Distractability - Children with ADD/ADHD or other attention challenges may struggle to focus in structured environments that don’t allow for movement or alternative learning methods.
- Poor Learning Strategies - Many students are not taught how to process and retain information effectively, leading to frustration and academic failure.
Dr. Don Blackerby’s Breakthrough Approach to Helping Struggling Students ...
Rather than focusing solely on remediation, Blackerby developed a learning transformation model based on NLP principles. His methods focused on teaching students how to think, learn, and retain information more effectively.
1. The Learning State: Creating the Ideal Mental State for Learning
One of Blackerby’s most powerful techniques was teaching students to enter a focused yet relaxed state before learning. He called this the Learning State, where students were fully present, alert, and ready to absorb information.
• How it Works:
o Students practice deep breathing to reduce stress.
o They focus on peripheral vision rather than tunnel vision, reducing anxiety and opening the brain to learning.
o They use physical anchors (e.g., squeezing fingers together) to trigger focus.
• Why it Works:
o This state helps students shift from an anxious or distracted mindset to a calm, receptive learning state.
2. Sensory Awareness: Using the Right Learning Channels
Blackerby emphasized the importance of understanding how a child naturally processes information. Some children are more visual, some auditory, and others kinesthetic. Schools often favour verbal instruction, which disadvantages students who learn better through movement or images.
• Visual Learners - Learn best with images, diagrams, and mind maps.
• Auditory Learners - Retain information by hearing it spoken or repeating it out loud.
• Kinesthetic Learners - Need hands-on experiences, movement, or writing to reinforce learning.
Blackerby taught struggling students to use multiple sensory channels at once for deeper learning and memory retention.
3. Reframing Failure: Changing Negative Self-Talk
Many students who struggle in school internalize failure and develop limiting beliefs about their intelligence. Blackerby used NLP reframing techniques to help students change their mindset about failure.
• Instead of saying, “I’m terrible at math,” students learned to say, “I haven’t learned math in the way that works for me yet.”
• He helped students visualize past failures differently, associating them with learning and progress rather than embarrassment or shame.
• Teachers and parents were encouraged to give positive reinforcement that focused on effort and strategy rather than just results.
4. Modelling Success: Copying the Learning Strategies of High Achievers
Blackerby discovered that successful students followed certain mental strategies to process and retain information efficiently. He helped struggling learners model these strategies by breaking down the thought processes of top students:
• How do they remember things? (Visualization, repetition, note-taking)
• How do they stay motivated? (Goal setting, rewards, curiosity)
• How do they problem-solve? (Breaking tasks into steps, asking the right questions)
By teaching struggling students to think like successful learners, Blackerby helped them bridge the gap between struggle and success.
How Can You Help Your Child Succeed?
If your child is struggling in school, consider these practical steps based on Blackerby’s methods:
1. Identify Their Learning Style – Observe whether they respond best to visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learning.
2. Help Them Enter the Learning State – Teach them breathing techniques and focus triggers to calm their mind before studying.
3. Encourage Multi-Sensory Learning – Let them read aloud, draw diagrams, or use movement to reinforce learning.
4. Reframe Negative Beliefs – Shift their thinking from “I can’t do this” to “I just need a different strategy.”
5. Model Success – Help them study how high-achievers learn and apply those techniques to their own study habits.
Final Thoughts ...
Dr. Don Blackerby’s work has shown that no child is inherently a “bad learner”—they just need the right tools to unlock their potential. If your child is falling through the cracks, it’s not too late to turn things around. By understanding their unique learning style, teaching them 'How to Learn', and helping them build confidence, you can set them on a path to lifelong success.
Every child deserves the chance to thrive. The key is not just working harder, but working smarter with strategies that fit their brain.
Is your child struggling in school? Try these techniques today and watch their learning experience transform!
Rather than focusing solely on remediation, Blackerby developed a learning transformation model based on NLP principles. His methods focused on teaching students how to think, learn, and retain information more effectively.
1. The Learning State: Creating the Ideal Mental State for Learning
One of Blackerby’s most powerful techniques was teaching students to enter a focused yet relaxed state before learning. He called this the Learning State, where students were fully present, alert, and ready to absorb information.
• How it Works:
o Students practice deep breathing to reduce stress.
o They focus on peripheral vision rather than tunnel vision, reducing anxiety and opening the brain to learning.
o They use physical anchors (e.g., squeezing fingers together) to trigger focus.
• Why it Works:
o This state helps students shift from an anxious or distracted mindset to a calm, receptive learning state.
2. Sensory Awareness: Using the Right Learning Channels
Blackerby emphasized the importance of understanding how a child naturally processes information. Some children are more visual, some auditory, and others kinesthetic. Schools often favour verbal instruction, which disadvantages students who learn better through movement or images.
• Visual Learners - Learn best with images, diagrams, and mind maps.
• Auditory Learners - Retain information by hearing it spoken or repeating it out loud.
• Kinesthetic Learners - Need hands-on experiences, movement, or writing to reinforce learning.
Blackerby taught struggling students to use multiple sensory channels at once for deeper learning and memory retention.
3. Reframing Failure: Changing Negative Self-Talk
Many students who struggle in school internalize failure and develop limiting beliefs about their intelligence. Blackerby used NLP reframing techniques to help students change their mindset about failure.
• Instead of saying, “I’m terrible at math,” students learned to say, “I haven’t learned math in the way that works for me yet.”
• He helped students visualize past failures differently, associating them with learning and progress rather than embarrassment or shame.
• Teachers and parents were encouraged to give positive reinforcement that focused on effort and strategy rather than just results.
4. Modelling Success: Copying the Learning Strategies of High Achievers
Blackerby discovered that successful students followed certain mental strategies to process and retain information efficiently. He helped struggling learners model these strategies by breaking down the thought processes of top students:
• How do they remember things? (Visualization, repetition, note-taking)
• How do they stay motivated? (Goal setting, rewards, curiosity)
• How do they problem-solve? (Breaking tasks into steps, asking the right questions)
By teaching struggling students to think like successful learners, Blackerby helped them bridge the gap between struggle and success.
How Can You Help Your Child Succeed?
If your child is struggling in school, consider these practical steps based on Blackerby’s methods:
1. Identify Their Learning Style – Observe whether they respond best to visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learning.
2. Help Them Enter the Learning State – Teach them breathing techniques and focus triggers to calm their mind before studying.
3. Encourage Multi-Sensory Learning – Let them read aloud, draw diagrams, or use movement to reinforce learning.
4. Reframe Negative Beliefs – Shift their thinking from “I can’t do this” to “I just need a different strategy.”
5. Model Success – Help them study how high-achievers learn and apply those techniques to their own study habits.
Final Thoughts ...
Dr. Don Blackerby’s work has shown that no child is inherently a “bad learner”—they just need the right tools to unlock their potential. If your child is falling through the cracks, it’s not too late to turn things around. By understanding their unique learning style, teaching them 'How to Learn', and helping them build confidence, you can set them on a path to lifelong success.
Every child deserves the chance to thrive. The key is not just working harder, but working smarter with strategies that fit their brain.
Is your child struggling in school? Try these techniques today and watch their learning experience transform!
NEVER REVEALED BEFORE!
The secret To... Why your child Isn't retaining the information they're learning at school -and how to fix it in 30 days or less ..
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