How Can You Help Your Child Study At A Sustainable Pace?
Contents
Introduction
When it comes to studying for the 11 Plus, it's important that kids adopt a steady pace that leaves them adequately prepared for the exam without feeling overwhelmed. The 11+ exams typically takes place in the September of a child’s last year in primary school, and many parents start to prepare their children up to two years beforehand.
If kids leave their revision until the last minute, they're likely to miss essential topics. If they study too much too early, they may feel stressed and exhausted by the time the exam comes around. Here are our top tips to help your child achieve a sustainable pace of study.
1. Work with them to create a study timetable
All kids are different in terms of their learning styles and the pace at which they learn, so it's important to let them set a study schedule that works for them. However, since your child will start preparing for the 11 Plus exam at around 8 or 9 years old, they likely need some support in creating a study timetable that covers the 11 Plus syllabus thoroughly. By working with them to set a study timetable, you can make them feel empowered and in control of their learning while making sure they're on track.
2. Make time for breaks, rewards, hobbies and socialising
Taking frequent and purposeful breaks from studying is proven to increase focus, productivity and energy. Purposeful breaks are those that have a defined activity that encourages social connection, physical movement, creativity or meditation. For kids studying for the 11 Plus, this can include:
Going to sports practice
Hanging out with friends
Listening to music
Crafting
Spending quality time with the family
Going out for a walk
Eating a delicious meal or snack.
Purposeful breaks can also motivate students to concentrate on their work because they know the study session has a defined end point when they'll get to enjoy a pleasurable activity.
3. Look out for signs of burnout
Burnout is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion caused by persistent stress. Children and teens can find themselves experiencing burnout when they feel overwhelmed by studying and under pressure to perform well. If you notice symptoms of burnout in your child, this could be a sign they're studying far too much and need more balance.
Encourage them to take a break, ask them to open up about the stress they're under, and help them access additional support from teachers or mental health professionals. Signs of burnout include poor sleep patterns, changes in appetite, irritability, loss of interest in their usual hobbies or pastimes, and a desire to spend more time alone than usual.
4. Balance is key to sustainable study
Achieving a sustainable study pace requires careful balance of work and play to prevent loss of focus or burnout. By giving your child control over their study schedule while providing supervision and support, you can keep them engaged and enthusiastic about their studies right up until the exam comes around.
11 Plus (11+) Creative and Persuasive Writing: Student Model Answers and Feedback
Over the years, Exam Coach students have produced some outstanding work. This is, in a way, our hall of fame, home to the greatest examples of creative and persuasive writing submitted by students attending our 11 Plus courses and workshops.
Take a look below to see top-tier writing as well as our marking and feedback in action!
⭐ This month’s star writer is… ⭐
Rajan
Well done Rajan. Take a look at Rajan’s excellent creative writing submission, and the feedback we provided, below.
New For 2022 — Verbal Feedback
In the spring, we introduced verbal feedback for our creative writing students’ homework. We found verbal feedback to be more effective in helping the children make improvements to their writing. This also allows parents and students to re-listen to the feedback whenever needed.
Take a look at some examples of verbal feedback we’ve sent out recently. Maybe some of the top tips provided could also help improve your child’s writing!
Creative Writing
Click the names below to see some excellent examples of 11+ creative writing.
“Create a story using the picture below.” — Elephants
“Create a story using the picture below.” — Rocket
“Write a diary entry describing the last day of the school term.”
“Describe a journey through an old, spooky house. Describe your characters’ emotions and what they see and hear.”
“Write a diary entry describing a day aboard a pirate ship.”
“Describe the hottest day ever.”
Persuasive Writing
Click the names below to see some excellent examples of 11+ persuasive writing.