How Do I Know If My Child Is Ready For The 11+ Exam?

“Dear Tutoress,

We have been preparing for the 11+ for 1 year. How do I know if my child is ready? I’m worried that there’s still so much for him to learn. Any advice?”

I’m always grateful to receive emails and messages from parents asking for advice, especially when it comes to how best to prepare for the exams. The 11+ can be a whirlwind and there’s so much to take in. In today’s article, I’ll do my best to answer the above question and offer some practical advice.

For most parents who decide to embark on the 11+ or Common Entrance journey, deciding whether or not your child is ready for the 11+ exam can be very challenging. After all, the 11+ exam is a highly competitive test that generally differs based on factors such as the schools you’re considering, your location and even your budget. It’s therefore important to carefully consider whether your child is ready to take on the challenge of the 11+ exam before making the decision to have them sit for it.

One of the first things to consider when deciding whether your child is ready for the exam is their age. The 11+ exam is typically taken by students who are in Year 6, which is the last year of primary school in the UK. This means that most students who take the 11+ exam are around 10 or 11 years old. It is generally recommended that pupils are at least 10 years old before they take the 11+ exam, as this gives them enough time to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful.

Another important factor to consider is your child's academic abilities. The 11+ exam covers a wide range of subjects, including English, mathematics, and Reasoning (Verbal and Nonverbal).

It is important that your child has a strong foundation in these subjects before attempting the exam. If your child is struggling with any of these subjects, it may be best to wait until they have had more time to develop their skills before taking the 11+ exam.

In addition to academic abilities, it is also important to consider your child's readiness for the exam from a psychological standpoint. The 11+ exam can be a stressful and challenging experience for students, and it is important that your child is emotionally ready to take on this challenge. If your child is easily overwhelmed by stress or has difficulty dealing with pressure, they may not be ready to sit the 11+.

One way to determine whether your child is ready for the 11+ is to have them take practice tests. Practice tests are available from a variety of sources, including schools and tutoring centers. These tests can give you a sense of your child's strengths and weaknesses, and can help you determine whether they are ready to take the 11+ exam.

It is also important to talk to your child about their feelings about the 11+ exam. Ask them how they feel about the prospect of taking the test, and listen to their concerns and fears. If your child is feeling anxious or overwhelmed about the 11+ exam, it may be best to wait until they are more emotionally ready to take it.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not your child is ready for the 11+ exam is up to you. It is important to carefully consider all of the factors mentioned above, and to make a decision that is in the best interests of your child. If you are unsure about whether your child is ready for the 11+ exam, it may be helpful to consult with a school counselor or other education professional who can provide guidance and advice.

Does my child need to be a genius in order to pass the 11+?

No, your child does not need to be a genius in order to pass the 11+ exam. The exam is challenging and is designed to measure a student's academic abilities and determine their eligibility to attend certain highly selective schools. While a high level of intelligence can certainly be beneficial, it is not the only factor that determines a student's success.

In order to pass the exam, your child will need to have a strong foundation in the subjects covered. This means that they should have a good understanding of basic concepts in English, mathematics, and Reasoning. They will also need to have good problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically.

In addition to academic abilities, your child will also need to have strong test-taking skills. This includes being able to manage their time effectively, staying focused throughout the test, and using strategies to approach difficult questions.

Overall, while a high level of intelligence can certainly be helpful when it comes to preparing for the 11+, it is not the only factor that determines a child’s success. With the right preparation and study habits, many pupils can achieve positive outcomes.

How Do I Get My Child To Do More Creative Writing Practice At Home?

My child hates writing and finds it difficult. How do I get them to do more creative writing at home?

Teaching children to write is an important part of their education. It helps them develop their communication skills and improves their ability to express themselves.

However, some children find writing to be extremely difficult and struggle with finding the right words. Some children also struggle with spelling and this puts them off writing completely. If your child dislikes writing, they may feel anxious about getting it wrong or not meeting your expectations. If this sounds like your child, you can help by encouraging them to do more creative writing practice at home.

Here are some tips that should hopefully make things easier for the both of you.

Try not to put your child off by insisting he/she does complicated assignments.

• Don't put your child off by insisting he/she does complicated assignments.

• Don't make it seem like writing is a chore or punishment to be endured, but rather something to be enjoyed and explored.

Encourage him/her to write about topics he/she enjoys.

You can encourage your child to do creative writing practice at home by encouraging him or her to write about topics he or she enjoys. The more your child enjoys what he/she is writing about, the more he or she will want to write. And if he or she is enjoying what he or she is writing about, then that means that his/her creative side will be stimulated, too.

You'll notice that when you're reading and talking with your child about their practice pieces (or even just their favorite ones), they'll get excited and talk more enthusiastically—and that's a big sign that they've been practicing creatively.

So how do you know if something interests them? Asking questions like "What are some things you like doing?" can help get this process started. You can also encourage them to find out new things through books and other media (like TV shows). If there's something they want to learn more about in particular, encourage them by letting them know how much fun it could be when they find out more information on their own instead of relying on what others have told them; this way there'll be no doubt as far as whether learning new things is worth their time - which means no excuses from practicing creativity at home either!

Don't be afraid to help them find the right words.

When your child is writing, it's okay for you to suggest better phrasing, or ask them why they’ve chosen to use a certain word. If they are struggling with spelling or grammar, ask them to proofread their work but do so I’m a way that is firm yet polite. Helping your child to learn how to proofread is important for their own academic and personal growth. It will also help them to develop positive lifelong writing skills.

Be encouraging and praise your child’s efforts.

• Don't compare your child to others. If you're unsure of how to handle your child’s writing difficulties, talk to their teacher about it. He or she may be able to help you avoid setting unrealistic expectations for success by sharing what he or she thinks is reasonable for your individual child.

• Don't expect perfection from your child. It's important not to become too critical of the work that he or she does at home, as this can lead children down a road that is not conducive to creative writing practice—and in some cases will even stop them from continuing altogether. The most helpful thing that parents can do when helping their kids with their creative writing practice is encourage them and praise their efforts and progress.

• Avoid giving up if your child is struggling: everyone learns in different ways. Some children may need more time than others; while they might have trouble understanding some concepts at first (such as grammar), repetition will eventually make these concepts easier for them overall.

Support your child's writing efforts by reading what they've written.

One thing to remember is that not all children will want to share their writing with others. Some children are very private and may feel like they're "showing off" if they read something aloud. In such instances, you can still be supportive by letting them know how proud you are of them for writing such an amazing story and reading it over with them when they're ready.

If your child wants feedback, try asking questions about the work—what does this mean? Why did the narrator do that? What does this character look like? How would you change the beginning of your story? If there are typos or grammatical mistakes (and there usually are), point those out gently so that your child doesn't get discouraged from trying again next time.

Remember: we all have our own style of communication; what one person finds helpful might not work for another person in similar circumstances.

Let your child see you reading different books and in different places.

If you want your child to be a creative writer, then it's important for them to see you reading. Being an active reader is something that can be done anywhere, anytime. Your child doesn't have to be around a book or computer screen all day long in order for them to develop their own creativity. Reading can be done in groups or individually, so there are no excuses not to read! Reading is also a great way for children and teens alike to relax and unwind after a long day at school or work.

Get children writing early, even when they can only scribble!

• Get the kids writing early, even when they can only scribble! Start by having them write letters and words. If they're old enough to write, encourage them to write stories about their interests or favourite toys. Encourage them to write about what they did over the weekend with you or their friends/family members at school or out in the community. Ask your child's teacher to help put together a creative writing project that incorporates everyone in class; this could include poems and short stories written by each student as part of a classwide collaborative piece.

• Look for ways for your child's interests and talents (whether that’s through science experiments, sports teams, art projects) feed into their creative writing practice at home—this will hopefully become motivation enough for them to continue working on these types of things on their own!

By encouraging writing at home, you are giving lots of ways for your child to practice creative writing skills.

One of the best ways to help your child develop good writing skills is to get him or her involved in creative writing practice at home.

• Encourage your child's writing by giving them many opportunities to write, without putting pressure on them to do complicated assignments.

• Take care not to put off your child with strict rules about what they can and cannot write about - encourage him/her instead!

Conclusion

If you want your child to be a creative writer, be proactive in encouraging them to improve their writing skills. It’s important to be patient with them, to be positive and encouraging. If you want to help your child in a way that’s fun and hassle-free, grab a copy of our Superb Stories programme which enables them to master excellent writing skills in as little as a week.

How To Motivate Your Child To Study For The 11+ Or Common Entrance During The Christmas Holidays

Preparing for the 11+, Common Entrance, or any other school entrance exam, can cause high levels of stress for parents and children alike. After all , these are high-stakes exams that have the power to determine which school your child can attend, and as a result, it's natural for parents to want to help their child succeed.

However, motivation can sometimes be difficult to come by, especially when it comes to studying and revising. In this article, we’ll discuss some effective strategies for motivating your child to study for their school entrance exam.

First and foremost, in order to achieve the best outcome, it's important to understand what motivates your child. Every child is different, and what works for one child may not work for another. Some children are motivated by the prospect of success and achievement, while others are motivated by the desire to please their parents or teachers. Still others may be motivated by the desire to avoid failure or disappointment. By understanding what motivates your child, you can tailor your approach to their individual needs and preferences.

One way to motivate your child is to make studying for the 11+ exam a positive experience. This means creating a comfortable and conducive study environment, providing them with the necessary materials and resources, and offering support and encouragement. This can help your child associate studying with positive feelings, which can increase their motivation and make them more likely to engage with the material.

Another effective strategy is to set clear goals and expectations. This means establishing a study schedule and providing your child with specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals to work towards. For example, you might set a goal for your child to complete a certain number of practice questions each day or to score a certain percentage on a practice test. By setting clear goals, you can help your child stay focused and motivated, and you can also provide them with a sense of accomplishment as they achieve each goal.

It's also important to provide your child with regular feedback and support. This means giving them praise and encouragement when they do well, and offering constructive criticism and guidance when they struggle. By providing regular feedback, you can help your child stay on track and maintain their motivation. You can also help them identify areas where they need to improve and provide them with the support they need to overcome any challenges they may face.

In addition to providing regular feedback and support, it's also important to offer your child incentives and rewards for their hard work. This can be a powerful motivator, especially for children who are motivated by the prospect of success or achievement. For example, you might offer to take your child to their favorite restaurant or to a fun outing if they achieve a certain goal or score on a practice test. By offering incentives and rewards, you can help your child stay motivated and engaged in their studies.

It's also important to communicate with your child about the importance of the 11+ exam and how it can impact their future. This means discussing the potential benefits of attending a good school and the opportunities it can provide, as well as the potential consequences of not doing well on the exam. By having these conversations, you can help your child understand the significance of the exam and why it's important to put in the effort to prepare for it.

Finally, it's important to model good study habits and a positive attitude yourself. Children often look to their parents for guidance and inspiration, so by showing your child that you value education and are willing to put in the effort to succeed, you can help motivate them to do the same. This means setting aside time to study yourself, being organised and prepared, and maintaining a positive attitude even when faced with challenges. By modelling good study habits and a positive attitude, you can help your child develop the same habits and attitudes, which can ultimately lead to success in the 11+ and beyond.

7 Crucial Skills of Special Education Teachers in 2022

Special Education Teachers need exceptional qualities for creating curriculum plans, working with administrators, instructing students, and interacting with parents. As a crucial part of any school, teachers in SEN careers work and educate students who often need extra classroom assistance due to their face emotional, mental, physical, or learning challenges.

SEN educators can positively impact the outcomes of their students by combining specialised coaching with the finest standard classroom instruction. While special educational needs teachers can develop these pertinent skills through training, some of them may possess such skill sets inherently.

7 Skill Sets of Special Education Teachers 

There are 7 amazing special skills that SEN teachers need to have in order to succeed in contemporary classroom environments.

They include the following attributes:

• The ability to adapt 

• Collaboration skills 

• Effective communication skills 

• Compassion 

• Assessment skills 

• Theoretical and practical knowledge 

• Excellent listening skills 

• Creative organisational skills 

Let’s go through these skills in more depth. This is important as they are essential for teachers who are applying for  special needs school jobs.

Skill No. 1: Collaboration Skills 

According to Intervention in School and Clinic research, students achieve maximum benefits when a special education teacher works with a peer. Therefore, the collaboration between general and teachers in SEN careers is crucial in inclusive education models. Collaboration is important because it enables problems to be solved in a more streamlined manner and at a quicker pace. This is crucial when working with children who have complex learning needs. 

Skill No. 2: Effective Communication Skills 

Often, employers list communication skills as a crucial part of job descriptions for nearly all industries. But communication skills for special education teachers are far more complex. A SEN teacher should focus on exaggerated gestures and non-verbal communication to build connections and meet the students' requirements. Special education teachers' critical communication skills consist of reading, speaking, listening, and writing. 

Skill No. 3: Compassion 

Compassion takes several forms in our lives. But this concept can be exceptionally helpful for frustrated students due to their individualised education programmes. For example, compassionate educators can help their special education students realise that they might need more time than others to learn certain life lessons. In addition, compassion from a special education teacher may positively influence general students in the classrooms when they converse with such students. 

Skill No. 4: Assessment Skills 

Assessment tests such as intelligence quotient (IQ), behaviour rating scales, and achievement tests can help special education educators to understand their students better. These special education assessments may occur before, during, or even after the school year. They may help educators to modify or even improve their lessons to ensure that every student receives the maximum classroom instruction benefit throughout the year. 

Skill No. 5: Theoretical and Practical Knowledge 

Most educators know and understand that education is not a stable or ‘fixed’  environment in that it is ever-changing and ever-evolving. Special education teachers gain practical and theoretical knowledge as they spend more time in the field, meeting new students, learning about their needs and working with a wide range of pupils. Furthermore, as time passes, special ed. teachers will often become more aware of new theories and advancements in both general and special education. New advancements in technology and the field of education cause new teaching methods to spring forth and allow for the creation of insights and outlooks that might not have existed when the aspirants started their careers. This is especially true nowadays with the emergence of social media, increasing scholarly research and a higher level of focus on neuro-divergence and its impact on individuals and society as a whole.

Skill No. 6: Excellent Listening Skills 

Listening skills are essential for SEN jobs. According to a publication by School and Clinic, a common challenge for special education students in school settings is listening. Unfortunately, this goes both ways - the teacher's ability to connect with their students is often based on their ability to identify the child's requirements and listen to their parents' concerns. 

Skill No. 7: Creative Organisational Skills 

Creative organisational skills are beneficial in every classroom environment, specifically in special education classrooms. According to research by the University of Wisconsin, physical organisation in special needs teacher's classrooms are crucial in order to create solidity in the school as a whole. 

Wrapping Up 

Finding a beneficial candidate for special educational needs jobs means finding someone who offers person-to-person training opportunities. In addition, highly beneficial special needs programs offer custom timelines, provide a program sanctioned by the government's education agency, and base their instructions on an entire-circle approach. So, with the hope that these tips benefit you guys, let's take a leave.

With thanks to Active SEN for this contribution.

Hiring A Nanny This Summer? Here's What You Need To Know

Hiring a nanny can be one of the most nerve-wrecking decisions to make. It’s not surprising that many parents are fearful of whether to take the plunge or not bother at all.

When hiring a nanny, there are a number of things to look out for.

1. How much real, practical experience do they have?

   There are hundreds, if not thousands of nannies advertising their services on websites such as childcare.co.uk and many will claim to be experienced. However, before hiring a nanny, it’s important to ask them key questions such as:

• What kind of experience do you have?

• Have you worked with a broad range of children?

• How many years have you worked with children?

• Do they have experience with looking after a child over night/during the day?

2. Are they introverted or extroverted?

This might seem like a random question or topic to think about. However, one of the key areas that parents deal with when hiring nannies is their temperament or character.

If your child’s nanny is extroverted they might want to engage in a range of social activities and this could potentially impact their routine and how they interact with your child.

If they’re introverted, they might shy away from engaging in family activities or might need time to unwind and disengage with the family at certain points in the day.

It’s therefore to think about the personality traits of your desired nanny before hiring one.

3. Does the nanny enjoy playing with children.

Some nannies are great at simply monitoring a child and think that this makes up the bulk of their job. Their focus is therefore purely on keeping a child safe. However, a great nanny will prioritise playing, interacting and engaging with your child rather than simply lumping them in front of the TV or throwing a digital device in their face.

It’s therefore important to have conversations around how best to interact and engage with your child. For example, do you want a nanny who can come up with fun game ideas, engage in pretend play and make bath time incredibly fun?

If your child is athletic, you might want to opt for a nanny who is sporty and enjoys playing sports with your child. In essence, try to select a nanny whose interests align with your child’s so that they’re more likely to bond with them and partake in key activities.

4. What Is their approach to discipline?

This is an issue that’s often missed. Some nannies are super strict and have old-fashioned views on discipline. Such nannies believe children should be seen and not heard and will keep your child on a tight leash. Others take a far more relaxed approach and are more carefree when it comes to discipline. Before hiring a nanny, it’s crucial that you ask them about their approach to discipline and ask them to elaborate by providing examples of how they might discipline a child.

5. Are they comfortable with a trial run?

No matter how much money you spend on nanny agencies, nannies and support for your family, things can go wrong. It’s therefore advisable to avoid making long-term commitments with a nanny unless you’ve already worked with them before or have had a paid trial run with them. The trial run should last at least a week so you get a feel for how they work and their approach to child-rearing. A longer trial run of around 1 month is preferable, if possible. Ultimately, it gives you the chance to gauge how suitable the nanny is.

6. Is the nanny first aid trained?

This is incredibly important. Ask for proof of their certification(s) and ask questions about how they’d handle situations such as choking, drowning, injuries etc.

Have you ever hired a nanny for your child?

What did you learn from the experience?

Share by leaving a comment below.