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.