The Benefits of Mind Mapping and Other Study Techniques for 10-Year-Olds

A Beginner’s Guide to Enhancing Learning For The 11+ Exam

As a parent, you’ll naturally want to provide your child with the best tools to excel academically and give them the best chances to succeed. There are many ways to achieve this by introducing them to effective study techniques early on in education, such as visual cues or making games out of revision and finding the best medium for them. In this post, we’ll list our favourite study techniques for Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and what may be best for your kids and tutor.

Mind Mapping

Mind mapping has been a powerful visual tool for decades that helps children organise and understand complex information and categorise it into subsets. It involves creating a diagram that connects different ideas and concepts. Mind mapping is beneficial for subjects like Maths when breaking down a complex issue like simplifying fractions and relating all the information used to complete that (factor rules, knowing your times tables, converting rules).  It can be used for Non-Verbal Reasoning’s to understand the types of questions, techniques and visual patterns and find a way to connect them.  Children can use mind mapping to break down information into smaller parts, making it easier to understand and retain and by relating visual information and patterns to help solve complex problems.  This may work best for your child if they’re creative and find it hard to see the similarities between two questions or topics.

Flashcards

Flashcards are another classic study tool that remains effective to this day. They’re handy for memorising large chunks of information or focusing on one single area for subjects like Maths or Verbal Reasoning, which require much memorisation of words, equations and processes. Flashcards can be used to review vocabulary, formulas, and key concepts. You can draw a shape on one side and ask them to reel off their shape properties or put tricky words and their definitions on the other.  They’re also portable, making it easy for children to study on the go or holiday.

Mnemonics are memory aids that help children remember complex information by associating it with something simpler. For example, a common mnemonic for remembering the order of operations in Maths is “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally” (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction). Mnemonics can be used for various subjects, including Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and the 11+ exam. They can be handy for children who struggle with memorisation.

Practice Tests

Practice tests are always the most effective way for children to prepare for exams. They can help children, and tutors identify improvement areas and boost their confidence. Practice tests can be found in many Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and the 11+ exam preparation books. They can also be found online, making it easy for children to access them from home. Check out our Store for bespoke practice papers written explicitly for the Trafford Consortium and GL NFER Catholic Exams.

Group Study

Group study can be a fun and effective way for children to learn from each other. It can benefit subjects that require a lot of problem-solving and critical thinking. When children work in a group, they can share their ideas and strategies, which can help them better understand the material.  Studies show group learning helps children understand topics from a different perspective than their own, which can help boost active learning situations and social skills and develop their independence in a learning setting.

Active Learning

Active learning involves engaging children in the learning process through hands-on activities and exercises. It’s handy for subjects like Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and the 11+ exam, which require a lot of problem-solving and critical thinking. Active learning can include building models, conducting experiments, or creating presentations. By engaging children in the learning process, they can develop a deeper understanding of the material.

Introducing effective study techniques can help your 10-year-old excel academically. These techniques can benefit memorisation for core subjects like Maths, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and breaking down complex information into smaller parts, improve their memorisation skills and identify areas where they need to improve and engage in active learning. As a parent, you can help your child by introducing them to these techniques early on in their studies or before high school, practising them together, and encouraging them to use them independently. With the right tools and techniques, your 10-year-old can achieve academic success and develop a love of learning that will benefit them for years.

Remember, every child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Finding the proper study techniques that work best for your child and their learning style is essential. You can experiment with different techniques and see which ones your child responds best. Your child can succeed academically and build a strong foundation for their future with patience, practice, and a positive attitude.