If your child is still young have them reading and writing as early as possible, preferably before they start school. This is a major step in preparing them to deal with surviving the self teaching concept.
Many schools have stopped using the old method of memorization for teaching, but memorization is still important for children who are in, or about to be in, school. You can help children learn memorization by playing games such as using a deck of cards. Turn the cards face down and take turns flipping two cards at a time, trying to find the matching card.
Teach children good study habits. This will mold a student to be capable of self directed learning or self teaching. Without good study habits children will struggle in any learning environment.
Allow little or no procrastination. Letting him procrastinate will cause him to run into problems when the pressure is on to get the work done. Pressure becomes an obstacle for learning.
Never be too busy to help a child study for tests. Once again, this is the memorization method, but it works and students who use it have a very high success rate.
Teach children patience. If they don't have patience with others they will not be able to have it when they are frustrated with themselves and their teachers.