Prep school is an exciting time in your child’s education and often, their first experience in a school setting. Having made a shortlist of potential schools and submitted your school applications, the very next step to gaining entry is often passing an entrance exam. Entry criteria can vary between institutions, however for top independent schools, competition is high. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your child is well prepared. At such a young age, it is crucial to keep learning fun and interactive. The key to success is ensuring that learning is engaging, as children will develop an intrinsic love for a subject and naturally develop the skills to shine at interview.

The way in which schools carry out assessments at prep school is slightly different to a primary school setting, as it will focus on playing and exploring within group and team activities, as opposed to a typical paper based exam. By observing a particular child, the assessor will be able to understand a child’s intellectual curiosity, communication style, fine motor skills and teamwork skills. Very often, schools look for children with an inquiring and curious mind, who demonstrate a positive attitude to learning and can follow instructions well. It is also beneficial for your child to work well within a group setting and be able to communicate effectively with their peers.

Following the entrance exam, children may be invited to attend a one-to-one interview. Often, parents will also be asked to attend, however this is not always the case. The interview is designed to assess a child’s attainment against the criteria set out in the Early Years curriculum standards. Therefore, activities are likely to concentrate on the following areas: Reading, Writing, Communication, Language, Numbers, Shape, Measure, Understanding the World and Fine Motor Skills. The interviewer will also seek to identify a child’s physical, personal, social and emotional development. Understandably, at such a young age, the process can be very daunting for a child and parents alike. At Eden Tutors, we have created some top tips to support you and ensure your child is confident and excited to begin their schooling journey.

Literacy:

In the Early Years curriculum, literacy includes reading books, early mark making and writing simple CVC words using their phonics knowledge. Introducing reading to your child’s daily routine will support them to advance their vocabulary and develop their confidence. Furthermore, encouraging your child to follow along with their finger will support them to identify key sounds. It is also a good idea to include a variety of genres to keep your child engaged and develop their cultural capital early on within their learning journey. Chatting away to your child and using funny voices as you read together can all spark communication and early literacy learning. Fundamentally, it is such questions that build the foundations for developing a child’s curiosity, supporting them to acquire important reading skills.

Children begin learning to write through a combination of adult-led activities and child-initiated play. A great way to make writing exciting is to include ‘role play’ within their learning. This may be pretending to go shopping and writing their own shopping list, or recreating the airport and writing a ‘check in’ list. In addition to play, encourage your child to explore the English language by listening to nursery rhymes, singing songs, or using alliteration. This will help to build your child’s phonetic awareness and provide them with a good head start in life. Essentially, the more exposure children have to a range of vocabulary, the better positioned they will be to become fluent writers. Using sensory equipment such as sand, or playdough to write words is also a great way to keep learning fun. Having the support of a qualified Early Years tutor to deliver engaging phonics sessions can also be a great way to help your child shine.

Numeracy:

Most schools will expect children to be able to count to twenty, identify key shapes, and understand maths terminology such as ‘bigger and smaller’ and ‘more than and less than’. A great way to develop your child’s numeracy skills is to learn through play. This may include playing with shapes, cards, dominoes, cubes, hunting for numbers, or roleplaying ‘shopkeepers’. Singing songs and sorting activities are also ways for children to make sense of the world and develop their logical thinking skills. For more simple ideas, you can introduce numeracy within daily activities, such as asking your child questions about numbers. This may be ‘how many leaves did you find in the garden?’, or ‘how many socks can you find in the washing?’. Keeping a height chart is also a great way to keep learning interactive. Such skills are not just important to keep up with the curriculum, they are also crucial life skills that will support your child as they grow up and carry out everyday tasks. Essentially, early childhood is a vital time for brain development, so it is never too early to introduce children to early numeracy.

Social and Emotional Development:

Many schools will seek pupils who are confident speakers, well mannered, share well, take turns and listen and respond to instructions. Schools also look for children who have self confidence, good behaviour and can form relationships with their peers. It may be a good idea to introduce your child to an extra-curricular activity, or a class where your child can naturally develop these skills. Mixing with new children of a similar age and having ‘play dates’ with children who are outside of their friendship circle in a new environment will support your child to feel confident in unfamiliar surroundings. Encouraging good manners around the house will also support your child to naturally develop good habits.

Fine Motor Skills:

During the interview process, children may be asked to take part in an activity such as building a tower, throwing and catching a ball, solving a puzzle, or creating a piece of art. It may be a good idea to introduce activities at home to build your child’s hand and wrist strength, as well as their hand-eye coordination. Fundamentally, developing your child’s fine motor skills will train the links between their body and brain. Activities such as playing with lego, cutting with scissors, unscrewing bottles and peeling bananas can help to support your child’s fine motor skills and develop their coordination. Such activities can lead to better handwriting, greater concentration, increased patience and resilience, all of which are key life skills.

Essentially, keeping learning fun, engaging and interactive is the key to a successful 4+ exam. Learning through play and incorporating a healthy routine that includes physical and social activities, alongside daily reading and writing, will ensure your child is ready to take on whatever comes their way on the day!