The 11+ exam will test your child’s understanding of vocabulary, spelling and grammar, as well as their comprehension and reasoning skills. Children who have a wide variety of books to read will not only have more appreciation for creative writing and story generally, they will also have a wider understanding of complex vocabulary, sentence structure and comprehensive texts.
When it comes to the 11+ exam, a child who reads extensively, will have a distinct advantage over those who don’t. It’s therefore essential that you encourage your child to read widely and frequently. But how can you encourage them to read more and what can you get them to read?
Encourage children to read widely
It will help if you set the example and read yourself! Whether you’re reading for pleasure or learning, it’s always a good idea to lead by example. You can also surround your child with books to read and general reading material, as this will help introduce them to a wide and varied range of different styles, genres and formats. Although the 11+ focuses on fiction books, there’s no reason why you can’t include newspapers and magazines, fiction and non-fiction books, as well as contemporary and classic books within your home reading library.
Embrace modern technology too, as it enables your child to have access to a wide range of reading materials. Why not encourage them to read more, by getting them their own reading tablet and giving them access to ebooks!
The benefits of reading
Reading isn’t just about helping your child to pass the 11+ exam. Regular reading sessions can really help boost your child’s ability to write creatively, as well as helping them improve their vocabulary and reading skills. But it also improves their memory and concentration levels, and boosts critical thinking skills. A well read child will often have improved empathy for others, as books can help them connect with characters within a story.
Contemporary and classic fiction books to read
When it comes to giving your child access to a wide range of fiction books to read, they need to be able to access both contemporary and classic fiction. Classic fiction may be an unfamiliar subject matter to your child, but it’s essential, if you want them to have access to complex structuring and unfamiliar vocabulary – an essential part of the 11+ exam.
If you want to help your child embrace classic fiction, consider using classic books for your joint reading sessions. Reading together will help you enhance their reading experience, it will also expand their comprehension of the classic books they’re reading. If you’re wondering what contemporary and classic fiction to focus on, you’ll find our classic book list for 9-11 year olds a great place to start.
The 11+ exam will test your child’s understanding of vocabulary, spelling and grammar, as well as their comprehension and reasoning skills. If you want to help them pass their 11+ exam, ensure they have access to a wide range of books to read, including contemporary and classic fiction books. Not only will this help to boost their reading skills and expand their vocabulary – it will ultimately help them to do much better in their 11+ exam.
Image courtesy of OgorVetushko/DepositPhotos.com
