To prepare your young child for the 11+ do you always need formal exercises?
No. You really don’t!
Preparing for the 11+ examination doesn’t have to be limited to conventional study methods. While academic subjects are crucial, incorporating unconventional exercises can add a unique dimension to your child’s preparation. These activities engage their minds, boost critical thinking skills, and enhance their overall cognitive abilities.
The point of Non Verbal Reasoning is check your child’s intelligence with spotting patterns and spatial reasoning.
Firstly, getting your child to regularly solve puzzle activities from an early age is perfect preparation.
Also, logic puzzles and brain teasers are excellent exercises for developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Introduce your child to puzzles like Sudoku, crossword puzzles, or riddles. These activities challenge their analytical abilities, improve memory retention, and enhance their logical reasoning skills, all of which are valuable for the 11+ exam.
For Verbal Reasoning reading is excellent example of one of many preparation activities – particularly using a variety of texts.
Futhermore, if you can broaden your child’s vocabulary- more discussion & less screen time- you will increase their chances of passing any Entrance Exam.
Additionally, role-playing and debating exercises offer opportunities for your child to develop communication, persuasion, and critical thinking skills. Encourage them to assume different roles and engage in debates on various topics. This exercise enhances their ability to articulate arguments, analyze different perspectives, and think on their feet, all of which are beneficial for the verbal reasoning component of the 11+ exam.
For Maths as always the basics are so important as early as possible.
Adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing. times tables.
Its important that maths is built strongly from an early age.
Card games are perfect activities for this.
Encourage your child to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios. Present them with challenges or problems that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This exercise stimulates their ability to analyze information, evaluate options, and propose creative solutions—a skill set highly valuable for the 11+ exam’s reasoning and problem-solving sections.
Lastly, preparing for the 11+ examination doesn’t have to be limited to rote learning and traditional study methods. By incorporating unconventional exercises, you can provide your child with a well-rounded preparation experience that enhances their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. Remember to balance these activities with academic study to ensure comprehensive preparation for success in the 11+ exam and beyond.
For further advice & support call Chorlton Tuition Centre and ask for Graeme!
0161-860 6888
