3 Tips to Keep Your Child Motivated for the 11+ Exam This Summer
With the Summer Holidays coming soon, getting back into the routine of completing daily online tests, for the 11+ exams in September, can be challenging. Many children struggle to balance study time with summer fun, however, with the right approach, you can help your child stay motivated and make their preparation enjoyable. Here are three effective strategies to keep your child engaged and enthusiastic about their online Year 5 11+ program, including those crucial 30-minute daily tests from Monday to Friday.
1. Flexible Structured Schedule
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- Break it down: Break down the 11+ subjects into manageable chunks and set weekly targets, including daily 30-minute online tests and weekly topic videos. Use a revision timetable to map out specific topics and timings, fitting tests around other activities and breaks. This helps your child stay focused without feeling overwhelmed. In August, KSOL will release a downloadable, customisable summer timetable to help your child set and visualise clear goals.
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- Refresh and Recharge: Include plenty of breaks in the schedule. A typical session might be a 30-minute online test or a key topic video followed by a 15-minute break. These regular intervals keep your child refreshed and motivated, making study time more productive and enjoyable.
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- Flexible Timing: Allow flexibility in your schedule to accommodate spontaneous family activities or outings. This ensures your child can still enjoy the summer holidays, striking a balance between study and play, to keep them engaged and happy.
2. Attend Open Days
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- Inspire and Motivate: Take advantage of grammar school open days to show your child what they are working towards. Walking through the school, meeting future teachers and seeing potential classmates can spark excitement and motivation. This tangible experience helps them visualise their goal, making daily online tests and study sessions feel more purposeful and rewarding.
Visiting open days gives your child a glimpse of the exciting opportunities that lie ahead, encouraging them to stay focused and motivated throughout their 11+ exam preparation.
3. Set Up a Reward System
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- Short-Term Rewards: Offer small rewards for completing daily tests or weekly goals, such as extra screen time or a favourite treat. These rewards keep your child motivated to complete their tests, driving them to reach their milestones and eventually achieve the bigger goal at the end.
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- Long-Term Rewards: Plan special outings or family activities for achieving major milestones like completing a month’s worth of tests. Setting long-term goals maintains a sense of accomplishment and provides something exciting to work towards.
Not Long Left Now
Keeping your child motivated during the Summer Holidays, while preparing for the 11+ exams, can be challenging, but with the right strategies it’s definitely achievable. By creating a flexible, structured schedule, visiting potential future schools and continually rewarding progress, you can make the preparation process engaging and enjoyable for your child.
Remember, KSOL is here to support you throughout the 11+ journey. With over 20 years of experience, we understand the challenges and are dedicated to providing top-notch guidance and resources for your child’s success. This summer, we offer our members the chance to book 1-2-1 sessions with our qualified tutors. Additionally, we have a variety of hour-long LIVE sessions available, covering tricky exam topics in Maths, English, Verbal, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. These sessions are designed to fit around your holidays and summer plans.
To book our summer 1-2-1 sessions, give our specialist team a call on 0121 733 6558, and to book our LIVE sessions, visit our website at www.ksol.co.uk.
Happy studying, and enjoy your summer!
