Ways to Disguise Learning and NNAT Study as Fun

Children should really learn, and study the NNAT, through play. This is a child’s natural language and the most natural way for them to experience the world. The best way to instill concepts from the NNAT in your child is through spending time together somewhere “fun”. Even a walk through the park can be a learning experience for the NNAT. Here are some places you and your child can go to have fun and learn basic NNAT concepts.

• The Park: Like I mentioned above, just the walk to the park can be used as learning experience for your child and prepare for the NNAT. At the park you can have your child look for patterns or compare sizes of various objects, and do some NNAT study!
• The Museum: Whether it is a fine art museum or a natural history museum, these locations are great just for exposing your child to art or history. For me, these early trips to the museum influenced me so much I studied Art History in college. But you can also have your child name all of the colors that they see, so they can start forming pattern recognition, integral for NNAT prep.
• The Beach: The beach is a great place to teach your child without them even realizing that they aren’t just having fun! Between size comparisons and pattern recognition, the beach is a great place for incognito NNAT test prep. Just remember to have a continuous dialogue going with your children. The more you speak with them, the more language they acquire and the better they do on the NNAT.

The 4^th of July is also a great day to have some fun and do some NNAT prep. Here is a great site for 4^th of July crafts, great for sneaky NNAT prep. Good luck on the NNAT!

 

Tips for Fostering Patience in your NNAT Child

Patience is a virtue that can only help your child as they prepare for the NNAT. Your child will have to wait before the NNAT test begins, during the NNAT test, and their ability to sit still be attentive will be noted. One of the ways to determine that a child is ready for kindergarten, other than the NNAT, is their ability to be patient. During their kindergarten days, they will have to wait patiently in lines, be patient while waiting for help from a teacher, and wait patiently till recess or lunch. Having a more patient child will make your parenting life easier, and will help with NNAT prep. Here are some tips to help your child taking the NNAT more patient:

• Don’t dote on your child: Do not come running in to help your child every time their toy needs a new battery or they have an issue. With the phrase “I can’t do that right now, ask me again in 10 minutes” they will learn to wait until you are available to help them. This will help them as they wait for the NNAT test to begin
• Gives them tools to help with waiting: Always carry a toy they like to play with or a book for them to read. This will show them that they can do fun things, or productive things, while waiting for something else. They can even do NNAT prep!
• Praise your child: When you child successfully waits those 10 minutes for you to help them, or stands patiently in a line, praise them! Let them know you appreciate their good behavior. This can also apply to NNAT prep, when they get a concept, let them know they did well!
• Use a sand timer: Children are very visual, so a physical depiction of time can help them become more patient. You can also use this during NNAT practice.

Patience can be a hard won virtue from young children, but you will see it pay off in the NNAT. Here is an article from the Huffington Post on raising patient children. Good luck on the NNAT!

NNAT Test Questions

The NNAT study process needs to be balanced between doing NNAT practice questions and doing daily “brain games”. Your child needs to see questions that are like the questions that will be on the NNAT test in order to be properly prepared. But doing too many NNAT practice questions can strain your child and burn them out from NNAT prep. You want to prepare your child for the NNAT, but not stress them out about it or overwhelm them with NNAT practice. This is why I suggest at least 3 months of study and prep before your child takes the NNAT. With 3 months of prep, they can do only 5 to 10 NNAT practice questions a day so they do not get overwhelmed but will still be prepared. I have included some NNAT practice questions below to help aid in your NNAT prep.

NNAT Pattern Completion. Parent, tell your child this: Look at the pattern on top. A piece has been taken out of it. Find the piece below the pattern that goes where the question mark is in order to complete the pattern.

NNAT Pattern Completion. Parent, tell your child this: Look at the pattern on top. A piece has been taken out of it. Find the piece below the pattern that goes where the question mark is in order to complete the pattern.

NNAT Pattern Completion. Parent, tell your child this: “Look at the squares on top. They go together in a certain way. Choose the square among the answer choices that goes in the empty space because it belongs with the square on the bottom the same way the squares on top belong together”

NNAT Pattern Completion. Parent, tell your child this: “Look at the squares on top. They go together in a certain way. Choose the square among the answer choices that goes in the empty space because it belongs with the square on the bottom the same way the squares on top belong together”

You can find more practice questions on Pinterest! There are some boards on Testing Mom’s Pinterest page with free NNAT questions. Good luck on the NNAT!

Tips for Raising Successful Children with the NNAT

Raising a successful child means more than simply getting into the 99^th percentile from the NNAT test. However, many of the tips to raise successful children can apply to NNAT practice. The NNAT is just one of the ways that your child is preparing to be successful adult. If your child questions why they have to do extra NNAT homework or why they have to take the NNAT test on a Saturday, you can explain to them how this will help them be successful in their future. Here are different ways preparing and taking the NNAT will help your child be successful in the future.

• You are focusing on the future. A lot of children are very present with their thoughts and actions, but preparing months in advance to take the NNAT shows them that they have to think about the future. This will help them learn to plan for the future in a simply and concrete way. Saying “Doing NNAT practice questions for 20 minutes today will help you do better on the NNAT in 1 month” shows them concrete cause and effect of planning on their future.
• Teach them independence. Teaching your child to do NNAT practice questions for 20 minutes a day will teach them how to do activities on their own. Be ready and available to give them help, and remind them that they have 20 minutes of NNAT study, but allow them to complete the task on their own. This will increase their confidence in their own abilities and teach them to be able to rely on themselves.
• Teach your children the importance of education. You are already showing them through your daily NNAT study that education is important. But make sure to extend this to college and beyond. Tell them knowledge and education is something no one can take away from you and will help you succeed in life.

By having your child prepare for and take the NNAT, you are instilling in your children the need to think about the future, the need to study and plan for the future, to try their best and to try and better themselves. When you are done with NNAT study, bring your kids outside to play! Here is a great resource with 30 fun outside activities. Good luck on the NNAT!

Summer and NNAT Study

Summer and NNAT do not go together in children’s minds. However, this can be the perfect time to get a jumpstart on NNAT studying, as they aren’t studying other subjects. They have time to play with their friends and go outside and then do some NNAT practice questions. But many children do not think that way, and think summer is a time for play, not NNAT prep. They can throw tantrums or be obstinate when you try to get them to do NNAT practice. Here are some tips to make studying the NNAT in the summer easier:

• Keep a routine sleeping schedule. Try to keep your children’s bedtimes the same over the summer. It can be tempting to let children stay up later over the summer, but this can lead to cranky children. A consistent sleep schedule will keep them well-rested for that important NNAT prep.
• Take a walk or play outside. The summer is the perfect time to burn off their extra energy outside. While taking a walk around the neighborhood, slip in NNAT prep. Ask them to name everything that is a rectangle or the color green. They won’t know its NNAT prep and it will get everyone out of the house!
• Keep yourself calm. When temperatures soar, it’s easy to get more irritable and not be able to keep a calm attitude towards your children. You still have to work over the summer and it can be frustrating to try and deal with hyper or cranky children, especially to get them to sit down and study the NNAT for 20 minutes. But children can pick up on other’s emotions easily, so make sure you are calm to have calm children.

The summer is a great time for bonding with your children, making fun memories, and also a great time to get a little extra work done, especially NNAT prep. If your children are too hyper, try singing and dancing to their favorite song, like Baby Beluga! Good luck on the NNAT!

Tips to Ease the NNAT2 Prep Process

The NNAT2 test prep process stresses out both parents and children. The NNAT2 needs special preparation in order to be completed successfully. Children often do not understand just how important to their future the NNAT2 is and therefore do not understand the importance of NNAT2 prep. Children do not want to do extra homework or “brain games” as I like to call them to study for the NNAT2. I have collected a series of tips to smooth the NNAT2 prep time.

• Make sure your child is having fun: You want to make sure that you child is having fun during their NNAT2 study prep. If you see your child being overwhelmed by NNAT2 overload, then give them a break.
• Read to your children: Reading to your children builds their language developments, reading comprehension and love of reading. Reading comprehension is a great skill for improving NNAT2 test scores. This will not only help them prepare for the NNAT2 but also for Kindergarten.
• Teach your children color and shapes: This is the basic knowledge that your child will need for the NNAT2 and for Kindergarten. This is something that you can teach your children in daily life. While walking to the park or grocery shopping, go on a color hunt or ask your child what shape a cereal box is.
• Do not overload the NNAT2 test day: Do not schedule any appointments or wake up too early on the NNAT2 test day. Don’t have your children go to their preschool the day of their NNAT2 test.
• Don’t use the word “test” or “test prep”: Children cannot see or be exposed to NNAT2 test questions from actual previous NNAT2 tests before they take their test. Using these words can create more stress in your child than is necessary.

To make this process more fun for your children, you can also use educational sites like Study Island, Brain Pop or Reading Eggs. You can get both memberships to these sites and practice questions for the NNAT2 from here! Good luck on the NNAT2!

Healthy Foods for High NNAT Scores!

Good NNAT scores can be improved even more by simply altering your child’s diet in little ways. Even adults know that people get crabby and cannot properly absorb information if we are hungry or not getting the proper nutrients. NNAT study sessions can get unproductive without food. The NNAT test day itself can be compromised by unhealthy or unsatisfying food. Children are notoriously picky eaters, so here are some tips on healthy food that your NNAT prepping child will enjoy!

• Hummus and Vegetables- This may not seem like the perfect food for picky children studying for the NNAT, but with so many different types, your child is bound to like something. Between basil, pesto, red pepper, artichoke, etc your child will like some kind of hummus. You can pair it with any vegetable or kind of bread product your child likes. This snack has a bonus of minimal preparation! Perfect for a short break from a NNAT study session.
• Edamame- This snack might not be first pick of your NNAT prepping child but it is good to try new things. Edamame is perfect for casual snacking during a NNAT study session as they are low in fat and high in protein and nutrients.
• Mixed Nuts- Perfect because you can either buy pre-made bags or mix the nuts your NNAT child loves most! These are great for the day of the NNAT test itself. Make a little bag with a supportive note inside for the day of the NNAT test.

 

These are just a few snacks you and your child can enjoy while preparing for the NNAT! Here is a good video on how to prepare just a few of those snacks Good luck studying for the NNAT!

How to Avoid Tempter Tantrums during NNAT Summer Studying

Studying for the NNAT over the summer is not high on a child’s priority list. However, the summer slump exists and you need to keep the NNAT prep up over the summer so your child stays at the top of their class. This can cause fights and tantrums in children who do not want to do extra NNAT practice during the summer. Children are still learning impulse control and learning to deal with their emotions, and the stress of the NNAT can heighten those emotions. Adults have had decades to prefect their coping mechanisms, and the sight to know that NNAT studying now will help later. Here are some tips to help avoid these tantrums about NNAT preparation:

• Establish Communication: Good communication is not just listening to your child but also observing their moods and how they react to their situations. Do they have too much energy after sitting still for NNAT practice? Once you determine what triggers their tantrums, you can help your child deal with those situations. Talk to them and say “I see you get antsy after you sit still for NNAT prep, do you want to play a game outside to make you feel better?” This will also help your children know why they get upset.
• Respect your Child’s Emotions: Just because children are not good at naming their emotions or have a lot of them, does not mean you can dismiss them. Talk to your children as often as possible about their emotions. Patience is key when helping your child deal with emotions, especially with NNAT practice involved.
• Don’t overreact: It can be difficult as a parent to respond the right way during a tantrum, to not bargain or respond with anger. A strong, firm response can help calm your child’s tantrum and keep your NNAT study sessions going.

Tantrums often occur during NNAT season, but with these tips you can help calm your child. If not, then try some yoga to help soothe your children: Good luck studying for the NNAT!

7 Abilities to Foster for Improved NNAT Scores

Preparing your child for the NNAT can be a daunting task, and for those parents of new-borns you have the added worry of when you should start the NNAT practice! How early is too early for NNAT study? The good news for those parents of babies who want to begin NNAT preparation right away is that there are 7 abilities that you can foster in your children that will help them with the NNAT test. These 7 abilities are:

• Language- There are two forms of language your should focus on with your children, Receptive Language and Expressive Language. Receptive language is their ability to understand the language they are hearing and eventually reading. Expressive language is their ability to use that language themselves, speaking and eventually writing. This is an important ability to foster for any test, but especially the NNAT
• Knowledge/Comprehension- This is the general knowledge your child should have entering into Kindergarten. For example your child should know colors, shapes, seasons, fruits, farm animals, all the basic knowledge children are exposed through via preschool, books, and life itself. This also includes manners and being able to function with other children.
• Memory- One of the most important abilities for students, and especially for children taking the NNAT exam. Improve their memory by having them sum up stories or their day in their own words.
• Math- The ability to do simple computations and critical thinking with numbers. You can build this ability into daily life by always being exact with your numbers, such as dinner will be ready in 5 minutes, do you want a quarter of a cookie or half a cookie.
• Visual-Spatial Reasoning- This is your child’s ability to work with pictures, images, diagrams, shapes, anything but written language. They will have questions specifically on visual-spatial reasoning on the NNAT, so start working with puzzles and blocks with your child as soon as possible.
• Cognitive skills- Your child’s ability to think and reason through problems. This is an essential ability for success on the NNAT. You can help your children at home by not solving problems for them. If they ask you for advice or help with something, let them know they have the ability to figure out the answer themselves and guide them to different solutions.
• Fine-Motor Skills- Your child’s ability to control his hands and use his fingers. Your child will have to use a pencil to complete the NNAT exam, will have to cut paper in the classroom, and will have to tie their own shoes at some point. Developing this ability early can only help your child.

You can read more about these 7 abilities in Karen Quinn’s book Testing for Kindergarten. You can purchase that book here, and see what other resources for the NNAT Karen has! Good luck on the NNAT test!

 

NNAT Test Questions

NNAT preparation can be a very stressful time in your and your child’s life. One of the biggest struggles with NNAT test preparation is ensuring that your child knows the test that they are going to take. One of the best ways to help prepare your child for the NNAT is by doing practice questions. At first sit down with them and go through all of the different question forms. Then when they are comfortable with the forms the questions will take, have them do practice questions for the NNAT on their own. Here are 5 NNAT questions that you can start with:

• NNAT Question 1: Parent, tell your child this: “Look at this puzzle.” Point to the empty box and say, “Something is missing.” Point to the answer choices and say,  “Which of these answer choices goes here?” Point back to the empty box when you say “here.”

• NNAT Question 2: Parent, tell your child this: “Look at this puzzle.” Point to the empty box and say, “Something is missing.” Point to the answer choices and say,  “Which of these answer choices goes here?” Point back to the empty box when you say “here.”

• NNAT Question 3: Parent, tell your child this: “Look at this puzzle.” Point to the empty box and say, “Something is missing.” Point to the answer choices and say,  “Which of these answer choices goes here?” Point back to the empty box when you say “here.”

• NNAT Question 4: Parent, tell your child this: “Look at this puzzle.” Point to the empty box and say, “Something is missing.” Point to the answer choices and say,  “Which of these answer choices goes here?” Point back to the empty box when you say “here.”

• NNAT Question 5: Parent, tell your child this: “Look at this puzzle.” Point to the empty box and say, “Something is missing.” Point to the answer choices and say,  “Which of these answer choices goes here?” Point back to the empty box when you say “here.”

You can find many more practice questions like the ones above at Testing Mom. Get more practice questions for the NNAT here. Good luck preparing your child for the NNAT!