As a parent, you want the best for your child, and preparing them for the 11 Plus exams can be a daunting task. With so much competition, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to help your child excel. However, there is one skill that can make all the difference when it comes to these exams: creative writing.
Creative writing is an essential skill for the 11 Plus exams. It allows children to demonstrate their imagination, creativity, and ability to write persuasively, all of which are crucial for success in these exams. In fact, according to a report by The Sutton Trust, creative writing is one of the most important predictors of success in the 11 Plus exams.
As a parent, you play a crucial role in nurturing your child’s creative writing skills. By encouraging and supporting their writing, you can help them build the confidence and skills they need to excel in these exams. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the ways you can do this and how Geek School Tutoring and 11 Plus Essay can help.
Read Widely and Often
One of the best ways to nurture your child’s creative writing skills is to encourage them to read widely and often. Reading helps children develop their vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, all of which are essential for writing. It also exposes them to different writing styles and techniques, which they can then incorporate into their own writing.
Encourage your child to read a variety of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. You can also read with them and discuss the books you read together. This will help them develop their critical thinking skills and give them ideas for their own writing.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Like any skill, creative writing takes practice. Encourage your child to write regularly, whether it’s a short story, a poem, or even a journal entry. The more they write, the more comfortable they will become with expressing their ideas and experimenting with different writing styles.
You can also provide them with writing prompts or encourage them to enter writing contests. This will give them a sense of purpose and motivation to write, as well as opportunities to receive feedback on their writing.
Provide Feedback and Support
When your child shares their writing with you, make sure to provide constructive feedback and support. Focus on what they did well and offer suggestions for improvement. Encourage them to revise and edit their work, so they can see the difference that rewriting can make.
You can also provide them with resources to help them improve their writing, such as grammar and style guides. Geek School Tutoring offers a range of resources and courses to help children improve their creative writing skills, including their Creative Writing Club and their Writing Academy.
Use Technology to Enhance Learning
Technology can be a powerful tool for enhancing your child’s learning and creativity. There are many online resources and tools that can help them improve their writing skills, such as writing prompts, grammar checkers, and online writing communities.
Geek School Tutoring offers online courses and resources that can help your child improve their creative writing skills. For example, their Writing Academy provides step-by-step guidance on how to write a range of different types of essays, including narrative, descriptive, and argumentative essays.
Get Expert Help
If you’re unsure of how to help your child improve their creative writing skills, don’t hesitate to get expert help. Geek School Tutoring offers one-to-one tutoring and group classes to help children improve their creative writing skills. Their tutors are experienced and knowledgeable, and they can provide personalised guidance and feedback to help your child excel.
Another great resource is 11 Plus Essay. This website provides a range of resources and tips to help children improve their essay writing skills for the 11 Plus exams. They offer essay prompts and guidance on how to structure and write different types of essays, as well as providing feedback on practice essays. This can be a valuable resource for parents who want to support their child’s essay writing skills.
Tips from 11 Plus Essay
According to 11 Plus Essay, there are several tips that parents can use to help their child improve their essay writing skills:
Plan and Structure
One of the most important aspects of essay writing is planning and structuring. Encourage your child to plan their essay before they start writing, including outlining their main ideas and deciding on the structure of their essay. This will help them stay focused and organised, and ensure that their essay flows logically.
Use Examples and Evidence
To write a persuasive essay, it’s important to use examples and evidence to support your arguments. Encourage your child to include specific examples and evidence in their essay, such as quotes from a book or article, to make their arguments more convincing.
Practice Writing Under Time Pressure
The 11 Plus exams are timed, so it’s important for children to practise writing under time pressure. Encourage your child to practise writing essays within the time limit, so they can get used to working under pressure and learn how to manage their time effectively.
Get Feedback and Support
Finally, it’s important to get feedback and support on your child’s essay writing. This can help them identify areas for improvement and get guidance on how to improve their writing skills. 11 Plus Essay provides personalised feedback on practice essays, which can be a valuable resource for parents and children.
Nurturing your child’s creative writing skills is an important aspect of preparing them for the 11 Plus exams. By encouraging them to read widely, practice writing, provide feedback and support, use technology to enhance learning, and get expert help, you can help them build the skills and confidence they need to succeed.
Geek School Tutoring and 11 Plus Essay are both excellent resources for parents who want to support their child’s creative writing and essay writing skills. By using their resources and following their tips, you can help your child develop the skills they need to excel in the 11 Plus exams and beyond.
