Encouraging creative writing for children

Encouraging creative writing for children has a number of benefits. It improves English and writing skills, spelling, creativity, communication skills, to name a few! It’s also great as a hobby, letting children’s imaginations run wild and write for fun.

According to creativity psychologist, Stephanie Dudek, ‘creativity plays an important role in technological advance, in the social and behavioural sciences, and in the humanities and arts.’

Here are some benefits of creative writing:

Improved reading and writing

Creative writing improves vocabulary, whilst developing children’s unique writing style. They may discover that they prefer writing in one particular genre, or explore many different types of writing! Grammar and spelling also improve with writing practice! The GCSE English Language syllabus involves creative writing, so it’s great preparation for that, too!

Boosting creativity

Creative writing involves making up plots, scenarios and characters, in a way which will intrigue the reader. This stimulates the imagination and widens children’s thought processes, which is applicable to many other subjects! Creative writing can be an escapism for children, allowing their mind to become immersed in an imaginary world.

Self-expression

As well as developing an individual writing style, creative writing also allows children to express their thoughts and feelings in a fictional world. Sometimes children find it difficult to express themselves, or are unsure how to, so writing acts as a safe place to let out emotion.

Improved mental wellbeing

Creative writing has been linked to reducing stress levels by decluttering the mind and controlling emotions. This can boost mood and improve mental wellbeing, through participating in this beneficial and fun extra curricular activity.

Encouraging creative writing for children has numerous educational benefits, as well as being a great stress-relief exercise! It is also great practice for the creative writing English Language GCSE syllabus.

For additional help with English, encourage time for creative writing as a hobby at home! There are many ways to build confidence in English, read our blog on expanding your child’s vocabulary here.

StudyBox also offers after-school tuition in English, sign up here for a free trial! Or chat to one of our friendly tutors on  0203 189 1442 for more information.

Preparing for Mock Exams

Preparing for mock exams is key for achieving those predicted GCSE grades.

Mock exams are good preparation for GCSEs, which are sat during the summer. They predict how well students will do in their GCSE exams.

What are GCSE mock exams?

The mock exams for GCSEs are a way of measuring student’s progress, ahead of the official GCSE exams. They determine which GCSE paper the student will sit and which set they go into. Due to the difficulty of the GCSE exams, as well as the removal of coursework from many subjects, it is a way of measuring how well students are coping.

Why are mock exams important?

• Mock exams are an efficient way of preparing for the GCSE exams next summer.
• It gives students an idea of what to expect, completing tests with realistic crafted GCSE material under timed exam conditions.
• They are also a way of boosting confidence and steering students in the right direction. The mock grades received will inform students and teachers which areas students need that extra boost in, and which topics are going particularly well.
• It is important to treat mocks like the official GCSE exams. This allows students to view their feedback and consequently improve any difficult subject areas way in advance, so they are prepared for GCSEs. It is also great in preparing for mock exams. Establishing a revision routine and working on time management will be beneficial to learn ahead of GCSE revision. For more help on how to revise for GCSEs, click here.

How can students prepare?

• Leave plenty of time to revise. There are multiple topics to cover for every GCSE subject, and only some of the topics revised will appear in the exam. To ensure students are prepared, they must cover as much as the syllabus as possible.
• Know the syllabus.  Familiarisation with every topic is vital to ensure students are confident when sitting exams. After all, everything students learn during revision will determine how much they are able to answer.
• Find which learning style works best. Everyone learns differently, whether it’s making revision cards, reciting information aloud or note taking.
•  Practice papers. Writing practice papers will give students a feel for what material will come up. Completing these under exam conditions is even better to make it as realistic as possible!
• Additional tuition. Personalised tuition at StudyBox helps children focus on the areas that need improving, in preparation for their mock exams. Our friendly tutors specialise in maths, English and science, providing one-to-one support and go through GCSE past papers.

Interested in additional help for upcoming mock exams? Book a free trial on our website! Or talk to one of our tutors on 0203 189 1442 to find out more.

Learning Times Tables

Learning times tables can be a challenge for children, as there are multiple sequences to learn, from 1 up until 12.

Children start learning times tables in Key Stage 1. Times tables are really important to learn as they are the building blocks of maths; they make division, adding and fractions easier.

Knowing your times tables will come in handy for exams, like GCSEs, SATs and 11+, especially the non-calculator exams!

Here are some ways to make learning times tables that little bit easier:

Colour coding

• Colour code each times tables to make memorising them easier. Why not try matching up the times tables in the same colours that overlap, for example, in the 2 times tables                2 x 8 = 16, in the 8 times tables 8 x 2 = 16. These can both be in red. Learning just one variation, like 3 x 4 = 12, cuts the workload in half, when the equation is flipped it’s the same outcome: 4 x 3 = 12.

Make a times tables grid

• Create a 13 x 13 grid. Put a multiplication symbol in the left corner. Then write numbers 1 to 12 in the left top and bottom columns. You can practice times tables by filling in the squares.
• Alternatively, you can print out a completed grid and display it somewhere visible.

Start off small

• Start off learning the 2 times tables and work your way up.
• This will make it easier learning the bigger ones, once a general pattern is established.
• For example, 2 x 4 = 8, and 4 x 2 = 8. The 2 times tables can be doubled in the 4 times tables.

Make flash cards

• Make times tables flash cards, which can be taken with you everywhere! You can also colour code these.
• Constant repetition and being tested on them will make it easier for the information to be absorbed.

Find what works for you

• Find a learning style that works for you. Some people learn best through constant repetition to retain information, others prefer writing down or reciting information aloud.

Find different patterns

• Try and identify patterns in each time table, to make it easier to learn. The 9 times tables follow a pattern: 9, 18, 27, 36, 45… The units decrease each time as the times tables increase.
• For the 5 times tables, you can simply half 10 times tables, for example, 10 x 4 = 40, double 4 is 8, so 5 x 8 = 40.
• The 7 times tables are the hardest as 7 is a prime number, so the times tables don’t follow a pattern. Knowing that 7 x 7 = 49 makes it simpler, as you can work your way up or down the times tables from this.

Learning times tables is a skill for life. It increases ability and confidence with maths in future, as we use times tables throughout school and into adulthood, too!

Need additional help with times tables? Sign up for a free trial with StudyBox here! Or call the centre to chat to one of our friendly tutors: 0203 189 1442

Phonics and Sound Patterns

Phonics is the study of sound patterns. It is a method taught when learning to read, through linking sounds with the symbols that represent them.

This helps anyone learning the English language with the pronunciation of sounding out letters phonetically to make up a word.

According to Henry (1998) ‘teaching decoding and spelling based on word origin and structure results in improved reading and spelling.’

This method is commonly used in reception, to teach children how to read and spell.

There are certain formulas used to teach the English language by breaking down words and arranging certain letter groups together.

Decoding

Decoding is the process of teaching children to think of how a letter sounds by looking at it and repeating it aloud. This increases fluency with reading and pronunciation.

Decoding examples & Letter patterns

•  Consonant, vowel, consonant words: e.g. o, a, e : d-o-g, c-a-t…
• Consonant clusters: consonants with no vowels between them e.g. st, tr, cr, sk : street, tree…
• Vowel digraphs/trigraphs: vowel sounds placed together making a single sound e.g. oa, ai, ee, oo : book, meet…
• Consonant digraphs/trigraphs: two or three letters placed together to make one sound e.g. ch, sh, th, wh : chat, shoe, that…
• R-controlled vowels: when an r is placed next to a vowel, changing the sound the vowel makes e.g. car, fur, horn…

C and K sounds:

• ‘As both letters make the same sound it can be confusing knowing which one to use. Identifying them as ‘curly c’ and ‘kicking k’ allows for easier differentiation between them both.

Blending

• Once children can identify individual letter sounds and clusters of letters, they can learn how to blend the sounds and say the entire word. This is the stage children learn to write out the words, called encoding.

Once the basic letter patterns are broken down and sounded out, decoding ensures that pronunciation and spelling are easy to teach. It is important to teach phonics and sound patterns in a broken down, simpler format, as when some letters are placed together, it changes their sound. For example, when an r is placed next to a vowel, it changes the vowel sound (like ‘fur‘ and ‘car‘). Once language patterns are simplified, words can be phonetically sounded out and fluency with reading and spelling is improved.

For additional help with English, why not book a free trial with StudyBox! Or call us on 020 7459 4110 for a chat.

StudyBox opens a new centre in Battersea!

On the 21st October, StudyBox opens a new centre in Battersea!

StudyBox Battersea will be the latest addition to our other three centres, in Wallington, Sutton and Croydon.

With our new centre situated on the rear side of Riverside Nursery, it is ideal for parents who wish to drop their children off at nursery, or StudyBox for tuition!

StudyBox is an after-school tuition company established in March 2015, teaching children aged 5-16. We hire a wide range of enthusiastic tutors who adapt to the different learning styles and abilities of students.

At StudyBox, we believe it is important to build confidence. This encourages a love of learning that can help children to reach their full potential. We teach students in line with the National Curriculum and tailor each child’s lesson to meet their unique needs and to attain their learning goals.

Whether it’s assistance for GCSEs, SATs, the 11+ exam, or just additional tuition to be top of the class, StudyBox are here to help!

For a free trial at our new Battersea centre, or any of our other centres, apply here! Alternatively, call us on 020 7459 4110 for a chat.

The address for StudyBox Battersea:

Rear of Riverside Nursery,
Ensign House,
Battersea Reach
Juniper Drive,
Wandsworth, London,
SW18 1TA

Making learning fun for children

Homework and studying are a constant in every child’s life. It may seem like a chore, especially when the subject area is challenging. That’s why making learning fun for children is an easy solution, in order to engage with content and making the workload enjoyable.

Try following one of these tips to make learning fun!

Hands-on activities

Doing creative and hands-on activities will help to engage children through interactive learning. Activities can be tailored to the child’s interest, turning a chore into a fun activity.

Let them take control

Letting children take control of the activity or task will help them become more invested. This will enable the child to create their individual approach to learning, with their own, unique style. Motivate them in the subjects they are interested in and guide them in the ones they are finding difficult.

A visual approach

Make learning more visual through integrating colours, felt tips, paint – various arts and crafts, for a more hands-on approach. This will make the tasks engaging and exciting, so the child will want to participate!

Additional tuition

Our tutors at StudyBox believe in making learning fun for children, through activities and tailored sessions to the child. We use a range of approaches and monitor progress, boosting those grades whist making learning that little bit more enjoyable!

Call us on 02086428884 for a chat with one of our friendly tutors. To book a free trial with StudyBox, sign up here!

GCSE Revision Schedule

For students in year 11, GCSEs are the most challenging year in your life so far. Time management and creating a GCSE revision schedule is encouraged if you want to be on track to hit those predicted grades.

Follow these top tips to make this year that little bit easier for you and manage your time effectively:

Key Dates

Note down all key dates, for exams, mocks, deadlines, and so on. This way, you are prepared for everything in advance and can plan and organise your time around these important academic dates. There may be quite a few dates, so colour coding can help to organise them. For example, mocks can be in one colour, and exams in another, to differentiate.

Create a poster

Posters are a visual way of displaying important information, from key dates to revision notes. You can purchase A3 paper and display it in a large poster format somewhere visible, like the kitchen or on a bedroom wall, where you will regularly see them. For a revision poster, you can choose which topics and modules you’re going to study and stick to it, so that it’s easier to break down each subject. Leave blank time-slots on the timetable to go back to any topics that were difficult, or for testing yourself and going through what you’ve learnt.

Managing time

Decide how you are going to divide your revision time between subjects. You can choose which subjects require more attention, if necessary, or divide time equally. Make a list of strong topics and weaker topics, then decide how much time to dedicate for each one, and prioritise the more difficult subjects. Also consider how much material there is to learn for each subject, whether the subjects are essay-based and take longer writing out, and how progress is from feedback and recent test results.

Study space

Find a place that you concentrate best, and stick to completing your homework and revision here. Whether it’s the library or home, or maybe even a coffee shop, different people learn in different ways. You may find you prefer a busy or quiet environment, so find which way works best for you and stick to it.

Additional tuition

If there are certain areas that you are struggling with, perhaps consider attending after school tuition. StudyBox provides 1-1 support in GCSE maths, English and science. We have friendly tutors who are willing to help you to achieve your predicted grades!

To make your GCSE revision schedule a little more manageable, book a lesson with StudyBox today on 02086428884. Alternatively, sign up here for a free trial!

How to give your child an extra boost with learning

A child’s most important role model and teacher is their parent. A parent takes on board many job roles, asides from providing for their child, they are also responsible for educating and eventually preparing their child for the real world. In order for parents to give their child an extra boost with learning, it is important that they are well acquainted with their child’s timetable, in order to support them academically throughout their time at school.

Follow these tips on how to keep up-to-date with your child’s learning:

1. Monitor progress

Stay in the loop with your child’s progress at school. This will allow you to support them in difficult subject areas and encourage them with subjects they are progressing in. Ask them what went well with their day and what they are finding more challenging. Follow up on this by giving them an extra boost when needed and rewarding progress.

2. Stay connected

Stay connected with your child’s school by getting to know their teachers and going to all parent-teacher conferences. Ask the school what you can do to help your child if they are struggling in any areas. Attending every parents evening will further keep you up to date, through discussing progress between the parents, teacher and child. Checking regular report cards will give an indication as to where your child is academically, based on mock exams and in-class tests.

3. Keep up to date

Knowing their timetable and upcoming tests and exam dates is necessary for monitoring progress. This will ensure your child stays on top of revision and fully prepares for important exams.

4. After school assistance

Helping your child prepare for exams is necessary for giving them that extra boost in school. Statistics show that you are 50 percent more likely to remember something you’re revising by saying it aloud. Perhaps try reciting the material together and testing your child on the syllabus through a question and answer format. Help with homework and ensure this is completed by the deadline. Also encourage extra-curricular activity, like leisurely reading, online educational activities and sports.

5. Arrange additional help if needed

Being a parent is a full-time job; sometimes it is difficult to find the time to support your child whilst balancing everything else. Attending after-school tuition will establish a routine in a learning environment and free more time in a busy parent’s schedule, in order to give your child an extra boost with learning. StudyBox Tuition provides one-to-one support in maths, English and science, tailoring lessons to the individual and building skills and confidence.

StudyBox has centres in Croydon, Sutton and Wallington, with two new centres opening soon in Epsom and Battersea. You can book a free trial here. Alternatively, call one of our centres to find out more, on: 02086428884.

The importance of reading for pleasure

The importance of reading for pleasure should be implemented from a young age. Reading has numerous benefits to health, concentration and learning.

Last week celebrated #NationalReadaBookDay and #InternationalLiteracyDay. It certainly honoured the importance of reading.

Here’s why you should encourage your child to read for pleasure:

1. Studies show that reading makes a difference to educational performance

Reading expands vocabulary and increases general knowledge. Not to mention developing language and communication skills which are useful for life.

2. Reading inspires imagination and creativity

When we read, we gain an insight into another fictional world. We follow the author’s thoughts and we use our own imagination to interpret characters and other worlds. It allows us to expand on our creativity and gain inspiration from other’s ideas.

3. Reading improves empathy

A study called “Mind the Eyes,” by Dr. Oatley and Dr. Mar, found that people who read fiction are able to empathise with others more effectively. The study consisted of participants reading fiction and non-fiction, then examining a collection of photographs of people’s eyes. The aim was to identify the expression of each pair of eyes from a short list, including shy, guilty and worried. Those who read fiction were able to more accurately identify the expressions over the non-fiction readers.

4. Reading improves focus and concentration

Reading involves the use of several brain functions, improving the brain’s connectivity. We are able to stop, think and process the story all at once. It is a form of escapism, allowing us to switch off and focus solely on one thing.

5. It reduces anxiety and stress

A study from the University of Sussex found that six minutes of reading reduces stress by 68%, being more relaxing than listening to music or having a cup of tea. This is because reading is more than a distraction, Dr. David Lewis states that it is ‘an active engaging of the imagination.’

The importance of reading for pleasure links to educational benefits, creativity and stress-reduction. If your child needs extra support in English, encouraging reading for pleasure will help with vocabulary, concentration and focus, to name but a few. Additionally, StudyBox offer one-to-one support with maths, English and science tuition.

Book your free trial here. Alternatively, call one of our centres in Croydon, Sutton or Wallington on: 02086428884.

Start off the year right

The academic year is upon us once again; it is important to start off the year right. The new syllabus is more challenging, so it is important to stay on top of the workload early on. It can be difficult for both children and parents to adapt to routine and get back into learning mode.

Follow these top tips on how to start off the year right.

1. Encourage reading for pleasure.

Find a genre your child enjoys and help them choose a book. Set aside twenty minutes before bed to wind down from a busy day and read.

2. Establish a routine.

Routine helps with organisation and time management. It starts from the minute your child wakes up until they go to bed. Set a time for breakfast, encourage them to pack their schoolbag the night before, a time for doing homework and for dinner. Once a routine is in place, days will be structured and tasks will be complete. Perhaps make a timetable and put it on display somewhere visible, as a reminder.

3. Help determine your child’s plans and goals.

Setting goals early on will ensure time for reaching these goals. Whether it’s achieving top marks in mock exams, staying on top of the workload or improving on difficult areas, it will take time and dedication. That’s why setting goals is a step closer to achieving them.

4. Create a working environment.

Dedicate an area for studying and completing school work, either at the kitchen table or in the study. Ensure this space is quiet and equipped with relevant supplies like stationary and paper. If there’s nowhere quiet in the house, find a local library or café to complete work.

5. Try something new.

A break from academia is important for de-stressing, so find what your child is passionate about. Whether it’s drawing, sports or music, encourage them to pursue an extra-curricular activity.

6. Attend additional tuition.

If your child is struggling in certain areas or needs an extra push, why not try additional tuition? StudyBox is a tuition company that offers one-to-one support in maths, English and science. Be one step closer to excelling in exams with StudyBox.

If you want to get a head start in September, sign up for StudyBox today! Book your free trial here. Alternatively, call one of our centres in Croydon, Sutton or Wallington on: 02086428884.