As parents, we want nothing but the best for our children, especially when it comes to their education. In the competitive world of London’s 7+ and 8+ entrance exams, giving your child the best preparation is crucial.
As parents, we want nothing but the best for our children, especially when it comes to their education. In the competitive world of London’s 7+ and 8+ entrance exams, giving your child the best preparation is crucial. While there are many components to these exams, one of the most effective ways to prepare your child is by fostering a love for reading at home. In this blog entry, we will explore why reading at home is so important in preparing your child for these exams and how it can benefit them in various ways.
1. Enhancing Comprehension Skills
The comprehension sections of these exams require children to read and understand passages, answering both retrieval and inference questions, based on their understanding. Regular reading at home helps improve your child’s comprehension skills by exposing them to a variety of writing styles, tones, and subjects. It teaches them to extract information, make inferences, and think critically about what they read – skills that are invaluable during the exam.
2. Nurturing Creative Writing Abilities
The 7+ and 8+ exams often include a creative writing component. Reading books at home can be a wellspring of inspiration for your child’s creativity. When they read different genres and styles, they learn about various narrative techniques, character development, and storytelling. These experiences can ignite their imagination and help them become better writers. Encourage them to write stories, essays, or journal entries based on the books they read, allowing them to practice their creative writing skills.
3. Stimulating Deeper Thinking
Reading is not just about absorbing words; it’s about engaging with ideas and concepts. Encourage your child to think critically about the books they read. Ask them open-ended questions about the characters, plot, and themes. Encourage them to form opinions and support them with evidence from the text. This not only prepares them for the exams but also nurtures their ability to think deeply and analytically – a skill that will serve them well throughout their education.
4. Impressive Vocabulary for Multiple Purposes
Children are expected to possess a sophisticated vocabulary in various aspects of these entrance exams, including comprehension, verbal reasoning, spelling, and dictation. Reading at home can significantly contribute to the expansion of their vocabulary. Exposure to a wide range of words in context enables your child to understand and use them effectively. This proficiency in vocabulary enhances their performance in all language-related aspects of the exams, giving them a competitive edge.
5. Interesting Conversation for Interviews
The interview stage of these exams often involves discussing a book your child has read. Reading provides a vast pool of topics for interesting conversation during interviews. Encourage your child to form opinions about the books they read and express them articulately. Discussing books they love and delving into the reasons why can be a compelling way to showcase their intellect and enthusiasm during interviews.
Reading at home is a potent tool for preparing your child for London’s 7+ and 8+ entrance exams. It enriches their vocabulary, enhances comprehension skills, nurtures creativity, stimulates deeper thinking, and provides interesting conversation material for interviews. Moreover, it instills a lifelong love for reading that goes beyond exams, enriching their academic and personal growth. So, grab a book and embark on this exciting journey of learning and exploration with your child – it will undoubtedly set them on the path to success.
Please find some examples of suggested reading below. There are many other fantastic books out there, so explore what your child is interested in and enjoys too. We also recommend keeping up to date and reading the news too!
“How to Train Your Dragon Series” by Cressida Cowel
“Matilda” by Roald Dahl
“Horrible Histories” by Terry Deary and Martin Brown
“Bad Dad” by David Walliams
“Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White
“The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett
“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll
“The Butterfly Lion” by Michael Morpurgo
“The BFG” by Roald Dahl
“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” by C.S. Lewis
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl
“The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain
“The Magic Faraway Tree” by Enid Blyton
