The NNAT test does not focus on reading itself, as it is a largely non-verbal exam, but improving your child’s reading skills will help them in their Gifted and Talented programs! The summer is the perfect time to perfect your child’s reading techniques, as well as do daily NNAT prep. Without school to guide your child’s days, it is tempting to let them bask in the freedom of summer. But it is actually the perfect time to instill good reading skills and NNAT test prep skills in your child. Here are some tips on how to improve reading skills and study for the NNAT!
- Read aloud everyday: This is a great tip because it shows your child the importance of doing something everyday to improve. This also applies to NNAT prep. If you do something for 10 to 20 minutes everyday, there will be improvement but will not overwhelm your child.
- Set a good example: Children copy what they see around them, so if they see you reading, or if you read to them everyday, they will see that reading is important. You can do this with NNAT preparation too! While your child does their NNAT study, pull out your checkbook or pay bills.
- Read throughout the day, everyday: You can turn everything throughout the day into a reading activity. Grocery shopping becomes an exercise on how to pronounce different vegetables, cooking turns into a lesson on reading directions. You can do this with NNAT prep as well, focusing on pattern recognition while walking to the park.
- Encourage your child to write: Set up your child with a pen pal, either a cousin who lives far away or someone they met while at camp. This will encourage them to read and write, and will make them excited to read and write!
Reading skills, as well as NNAT prep, is incredibly important to keep up during the summer. School skills can be lost at an alarming rate during the summer and you can prevent that by following simple tips. Here is a good video on how to avoid the summer slump but not overwhelm your children! Good luck on the NNAT test!
NNAT Test 