Helping your 7-11 year old

This section of the site relates to key stage 2. The children are now in Junior school and preparing to become more independent. This is the beginning of preparing children to enter Secondary school. The pupils will gradually become used to tests and to undertaking work in timed conditions.

Homework may start and this may be tested at school. More subjects will be included in the curriculum and the pupils may have to learn to move around the school from one classroom to another by themselves. They may use specialist rooms such as a science room, a computer room or the library. Gradually more and more responsibility is given to them and they are allowed to make choices and decisions themselves.

Spellings and tables are essential tools for life and parents can help with this. Children can now be involved in everyday news items – parents should decide on suitable ones - and these can be discussed and children allowed to form their own opinions.

Computers, books, videos and DVDs can all be used as a family to reinforce knowledge and to stimulate the child in both an imaginary manner and also in a factual way.

Many children will enjoy games and are now proficient enough to take part in team sports. This is an excellent way of ensuring that your child works well with others and learns to share and unfortunately to lose. Life is not always easy and perfect!

Family life at this time is very busy but time spent now will help your child for life.