Being a parent is by far the most fulfilling and most difficult job anyone can do. One way to make the job of parenting a little easier is to learn your child's strengths and weaknesses. The importance of knowing a child's strengths and weaknesses can be found in the short stories "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker and "I Stand Here Ironing" by Tillie Olsen. Assessing a child's strengths and weaknesses is something teachers have been doing in the classroom for a long time. The techniques that teachers use in the classroom can also be used at home by parents. By recognizing a child's strengths and weaknesses, a parent can better understand their child, which in return will build a stronger, positive bond. Teachers evaluate a child's strengths and weaknesses in the classroom to figure out the best way for them to learn. The theory is that children learn in three ways: visually, auditorily and kinesthetically (Fliess, paragraph 1). So how do teachers identify types of student learning? According to Dr. James Keefe, former director of research for the National Association of Secondary School Principals, only 10 to 15 percent of schools use formal testing to determine learning styles. Most teachers, however, especially in elementary school, observe their students closely to determine learning styles. Then teachers use learning style strategies that individualize teaching to take advantage of each student's learning type (Staff). Understanding a student's learning style is critical to building a strong bond between teacher and student. Once the teacher has identified the students' learning style, he or she can customize instruction as needed. Students learn more efficiently and successfully...... middle of paper...... and the Web. January 19, 2012. http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Ed_Learning_Working/ .Fox, Jenifer. "10 Tips for Discovering Your Child's Strengths. Paragraphs 2,10." Huffpost Healthy Living. Np, 16 September 2009 . Network. January 19, 2012. .Olsen, Tillie. I'm here ironing. 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007. 706-710. Print.Staff, Eduguide . "Types of learning styles. Paragraph 2." EduGuide. Np, nd Web. January 19, 2012. "Understanding Your Child's Uniqueness. Paragraph 2." U of A Division of Agriculture. Np, November 30, 2011. Web. January 19, 2012. http://www.arfamilies.org/family_life/parenting/insight/understanding_childs_uniquens s.htmWalker, Alice. Daily use. 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007. 743-749. Press.