As a parent of a child who is currently in Year 4, you may have started to consider your child’s next steps in their education. If you have chosen the Grammar School path, we know that as a parent, the process can sometimes feel overwhelming.

In the spirit of the season, let’s explore “The 12 Days of 11+ Preparation,” offering an array of tips from our talented tutor team, to help your Year 4 child navigate their 11+ journey and succeed in their goals.

Day 1: Understanding the 11+

Utilise the Christmas holidays to start familiarising yourself and your child with the 11+ exam. Knowing the subjects covered, the format of the tests and the specific requirements of your preferred schools will give you a clear roadmap for your preparation. Conduct your own research: are you in catchment for your desired schools? What might the daily commute look like? Forming a plan can offer further motivation for your child and allow for greater piece of mind.

Day 2: Establishing a Study Routine

Create a consistent study schedule. Regular, focused study sessions are more effective than cramming. Ensure your child has a quiet, comfortable space dedicated to their studies. If your child studies with KSOL in year 4, completing their tests on a daily basis should help your child establish that routine and healthy revision habits.

Day 3: Strengthening Core Subjects

Focus on core subjects like maths and English. Encourage regular reading and utilise maths in everyday life, such as working out measurements when baking this Christmas, or calculating the distance in miles when visiting a family member. Perhaps your child can calculate the cost of your Christmas dinner shop!

Day 4: Exploring Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning

Introduce verbal and non-verbal reasoning exercises. These areas might be unfamiliar but are crucial for the 11+. If your child isn’t enrolled onto a KSOL course, our Year 4 Early Starter Course is a fantastic way for your child to gain exposure to these new topics, through animated video lessons and personalised tests. 

Day 5: Practice, Practice, Practice

Regular practice under timed conditions can help your child become familiar with the question formats and time constraints. As aforementioned, our Year 4 and 5 course offers daily tests that inform and challenge, not only personalised to your child but ensuring a thorough familiarisation of exam timings and format.

Day 6: Feedback and Improvement

Review your child’s work together. Offer constructive feedback and identify areas for improvement. Celebrate their strengths to boost confidence. If your child is a KSOL member, visit their ‘History Tab’ to revisit any questions they may have struggled with.

Day 7: Encouraging Reading

Encourage reading a variety of genres. Not only does this expand vocabulary, it improves comprehension, information retention and sparks imagination. Our recommendations this Christmas are ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens and ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ by C.S Lewis.

Day 8: Developing Problem-Solving Skills

Engage in activities that develop problem-solving skills. Playing board games such as chess and Scrabble over the Christmas holidays will help your child in various elements of the 11+ exam.

Day 9: Starting a Word Bank of New Vocabulary

Ignite a love for words! Encourage your child to start a word bank, listing unfamiliar words that they come across and their meanings from a dictionary. This could be a notebook or digital document that they can refer to.

Day 10: Mastering your Child’s Times Tables

Mastery of times tables is essential as a solid foundation in maths – not only essential for the 11+ exam but also for academic success in general. It enables quicker and more accurate problem-solving and builds confidence.

Day 11: Keeping Stress at Bay

Help your child manage exam stress. Ensure they have downtime and engage in relaxing activities. Discuss their feelings and provide reassurance.

Day 12: Staying Positive and Motivated

Maintain a positive and encouraging attitude. Your confidence in them will boost their own self-belief, which is crucial for success.

Preparing for the 11+ can be a challenging yet rewarding journey. By following these “12 Days of 11+ Preparation” you can provide invaluable support and guidance for your child. Remember, the goal is not just to succeed in an exam but to foster a love for learning and a resilient mindset that will benefit them far beyond the 11+. Happy studying, and may your festive season be as joyful as your educational endeavours!

If you need any further advice, please visit www.ksol.co.uk