5 Tips for Positivity in Your Children for the NNAT-2

As parents we know that it is sometimes hard to stay positive, and that can be even more true for your children preparing for the NNAT-2. They are unfamiliar with the questions, have to study for the NNAT-2 every day and can sometimes feel negative about the whole experience. You need to keep them focused on the positive, if not only for their mental state but also for useful NNAT-2 preparation. Here are 5 tips to help keep your child positive, and focused on NNAT-2 study.

• Stay Positive as a Parent: Children are very susceptible to their environments. Stay positive about the NNAT-2, and you child is likely to follow suit.
• Catch your child being “Good”: When you child is positive about their NNAT-2 study and feels confidence in their ability, highlight that behavior. Reinforce what they think at that moment to encourage more positivity.
• Keep your promises: If you say that your child only has to do 20 minutes of NNAT-2 study that day, or only has to focus on one type of question, keep your word. That will help manage your children’s expectations, leading to less negativity and more positivity.
• Keep it simple and positive: Do not over exaggerate the problems your child has with the NNAT-2, simply sum up their problem areas and focus on how you will work together to improve their skills.
• Maintain a sense of humor: Do not take every wrong answer as a death toll for your child’s educational prospects. They are learning, and the best way to de-stigmatize failures and to maintain positivity is to let your child know it is ok to fail. This will help improve NNAT-2 study session’s positivity.

Another way to focus on positivity is to meditate or do yoga with your child. Here is a great resource for children’s yoga  Good luck staying positive about the NNAT-2!

6 Tips for Hyper Kids Studying for the NNAT

As many parents know, it is hard to get children to calm down and study for the all-important NNAT exam, especially after a day of school and homework. But this study time is integral to their success in the NNAT exam. There are many different ways to calm down an hyper child. The first step is to try and figure out why your child is so hyper; too much sleep? Sugary drinks? Sat still for too long? Once you identify the reason for the energy outbursts, then you identify how best to calm your child down and then begin prepping for the NNAT. Here are tips on how to calm your child:

• Keep children away from soda and other sugary drinks. The sugar will add to their energy, leading to a frustrating NNAT study session
• Keep yourself calm. Children are very intoned to other’s emotions. Make sure you are calm as you start the NNAT preparation.
• Keep a strict sleeping system. Although not always possible, try to keep as consistent of a sleep pattern as possible. This will ensure your child is not under or over rested, and help for more productive NNAT study.
• Tell your children you get hyper too. Share with them the tips you use to calm down. This will help your children know that they can calm down and that others are like them. This will lay the path for a strong NNAT preparation.
• Teach your child to meditate. While children cannot meditate for long periods of time, they can learn to regulate their breathing and think about “nothing” for 5 or 10 minutes at a time. With other techniques, this can teach them how to calm down and concentrate on the NNAT.
• Take a walk. Walking burns off excess energy and concentrating on the physical walking can help the mind focus for the NNAT Test.

Another way to help your hyper child is let them loose in a “Boredom Box” where they can do whatever activity they want for 10 minutes. Include paints, coloring books, clay, puzzles or whatever your child likes to be creative with. You can also try yoga with your children. This is a good YouTube channel with children’s yoga lessons  Good luck studying for the NNAT test!

5 Ways to Help Your Disorganized Child Study for the NNAT2

You want to empower your child and show them that you trust their skills, especially in regards to the NNAT2. You want them to set study times for themselves for NNAT2 study, to be organized, because those are skills that they will need as adults. However, it is also your duty as a parent to teach them those organization skills for NNAT2, or any class, study. Here are 5 tips on teaching your child to be more organized

• Set times for Study: Teach your child to set specific time blocks aside for NNAT2 study. Then they can control when they will study the NNAT2, and learn to stick to a shedule.
• Make Lists: Teach your child the value of lists. They can make a list at which practice question sets they have completed for the NNAT2, or what skills they have conquered for the NNAT2. They will learn how to organize information and the satisfaction of finishing a task and getting to cross it out.
• Leave Notes: Notes can be written or drawn, any way to get the point across. These can serve as gentle reminders; such as if their study time is before playtime, leave a note about NNAT2 study time in the play area to remind them to study before they can play.
• Catalogue: Teach your child to organize their papers by giving them boxes, binders, or folders. They can organize their practice question sets for NNAT2 study, to keep track of what they have completed or still need to work on.
• Prepare the night before: Plan the next day before your child goes to bed. This will prevent confusion in the morning and allow your child to mentally prepare for all the tasks they have to complete. It is easier to sit down for a NNAT2 study session if they have known about it since the night before

Use these tips in order to have more organized and studious children. For tips on how to organize their bedrooms themselves, you can click here! Good luck on NNAT2 study!

How Do I Know My Child is Gifted and Should Take the NNAT Test

The NNAT is short for Naglieri Non-verbal Ability test and is an intelligence quotient test that measures non-verbal reasoning skills. If you child displays some attributes of a gifted child they may be selected to take the NNAT test for entrance to a Gifted and Talented Program. Here are 10 different attributes of a gifted child:

• Reasons Well- Able to understand logic in others explanations or can think through their own issues logically. A good sign for a good NNAT score.
• Learns Rapidly- Able to quickly absorb new information and use it in a critical manner or apply that knowledge to different subjects
• Has extensive vocabulary- Remembers a variety of words they hear. Great for NNAT excellence
• Has an excellent memory- Does not to be told instructions more than once
• Has a long attention span- Able to pay attention for long periods of time, good skill for mastering the NNAT
• Shows compassion- Demonstrates the child’s ability to think about others, and remove themselves from the situation to consider all sides.
• Perfectionist- A sign of a thorough learner.
• Is a keen observer- Good sign for a strong NNAT score because they will not be easily tricked by NNAT questions
• Strong Curiosity- Never seems to stop asking questions, wants to understand everything, good sign for NNAT practice
• Prefers older companions or adults- This can mean several things, that they are mature for their age, that they only be intellectually stimulated by more knowledgeable people or that they will be comfortable around the person who will be giving the NNAT test.

If you child has some of these attributes, you may consider preparing them for the NNAT exam for Gifted and Talented program acceptance! For more information about Gifted Children, click on this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_giftedness. Good luck with your NNAT  test!

4 Tips for Raising a Bilingual Child Taking the NNAT

Many parents out there face the challenge of raising a bilingual child who is going to take the NNAT. Either one of or both of the parents want the child to speak their language as well as English, but this can be struggle for some families. Children can learn up to 4 languages at once, but with NNAT study sessions, you do not want to overwhelm your child. Here are some tips to smooth the way for your bilingual child who is taking the NNAT:

• Family Communication: Before beginning to teach your child a new language, sit down and decide exactly how you want to teach your child the language, while they are preparing for the NNAT. Decide upon a lesson time three times a week, daily story telling in that language, and encourage your child to speak the language. Try to speak the language with your child as often as possible.
• Work with outside sources: To expand your child’s exposure to the language they are learning, find other families that are also teaching their child that language. You can set up play dates where the parents and children only speak in the chosen language, and your child can speak with someone else and gain confidence in their skills. That confidence can translate to NNAT study sessions too!
• Work with your children’s interest: Find out whatever your child is interested in and get those interests in the chosen language. Whether it is trucks, ocean life, or even Bob the Builder, you will be able to find them in your chosen language. This will improve your child’s focus on the given language, and you can then apply that improved focus to NNAT study!
• Travel: If you have the ability to travel, then going to a place where the chosen language us primarily spoken can have a tremendous impact on your child. They will become immersed in the language, the best way to learn.

Here are 10 more tips on raising a bilingual child: http://www.omniglot.com/language/articles/bilingualkids5.htm. Use the skills your child gains in language practice for NNAT study!

5 Fun Exercises for NNAT Test Prep

Children can focus better on NNAT test preparation when they do not have excess physical energy. After a long day of sitting in classes, it can be hard to focus your child on preparing for such an important test as the NNAT. A great way to tire your children out and get them ready for extra homework is to exercise with them. However, straight exercise may not keep your child’s attention. Thus, I have assembled 5 fun exercises that you can do with your child to get them ready for their NNAT study session!

• Animal Parade- This game is great because it allows your child to release creative energy as well as physical energy for NNAT studying. Simply yell out an animal, and have your child enact what that animal would do. A flying bird, a crab walking or a cat crawling.
• Bubble Jacks- This one is great because who doesn’t love bubbles!? Simply blow bubbles above your child’s head and have them jump up to catch them! Perfect to get out that excess energy before NNAT preparation.
• Rowboat- In this exercise, you and your child can exercise together. Sit on the floor opposite your child with your legs extended and feet touching. Clasp hands and pull gently while your child pushes. Sing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” to keep it lively.
•  Tag- Briefly end the ban on running in the house and play a game of tag with you and your children. This is a great way to show the trust you have in your child by letting them run around the house, responsibly. Then get right back into your NNAT study session.
• Freeze Dance- A great game to involve your children in, because they get to choose the music! Play their favorite song, and after a period of time, stop the song and the children have to stop dancing. This is also a great listening exercise too.

If you want something more calming, think about doing some yoga with your children. Here is a good link to a children’s yoga channel on youtube  Good luck studying for the NNAT!

3 great tips to Focus your Child for NNAT studying

Children are still in the process of developing their attention spans, and so it can be difficult to keep them focused for an entire NNAT study session. I have written on here before about snacks and on different exercises that can help keep them focused on the NNAT. Now I am going to share 3 tips on what you can do while your child is studying for the NNAT to keep them focused.

• Set expectations in the beginning- Let your child know how long they will have to study the NNAT, or how many practice questions for the NNAT they will do before your start the session. That way they can learn to manage their own expectations and work within the confines you have set for them.
• Do your own “homework”- This is a great way to show solidarity with your child. While they are working on the NNAT prep, you can work on your grocery list, or your taxes or bills or whatever tasks you need to get done around the house. Not only will you set a good example for your child but you will be able to use the time to get your own work done!
• Have a set place for homework- Have a set study corner of the house and keep it clear from distractions. Far away from the TV, phone, etc to keep your child focused on their NNAT studying.
• Have a snack at the ready- I wrote in another post about the importance of snacking for a focused NNAT study session. Keep these snacks ready for your child, so that as soon as they are hungry, you can feed them and get them back to NNAT studying!

If your child still cannot focus after these tips, try a little children’s yoga to focus them. Here is a great youtube channel of children’s yoga  Good luck focusing your child for their NNAT study sessions!

5 healthy snacks for NNAT preparation

Children cannot properly study and absorb information if they are hungry while there are studying. If studying occurs directly after school, or after some physical activity, it can be beneficial to have snacks while your child studies. Here are 5 snacks that will help your child focus on the NNAT, and are healthy for them.

• Mixed Nuts- A great suggestion because you can either buy the pre-mixed bags of nuts or make a mix of your own! Almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans, whichever nuts your child prefers, make little bags of them for your child’s NNAT study session.
• Apple and Peanut Butter- The perfect snack if your child needs a quick 5 or 10 minute break during their study session. Cut the apple up before hand and place on a plate with a dollop of peanut butter! The child will get to portion how much peanut butter they want, and will have a healthy and filling snack to get them through the rest of NNAT test preparation.
• Edamame- A snack that help expand your child’s palette. Edamame are low in fat, while high in protein and nutrients. They can be either heated up or served cold, depending on how your child likes their snacks or the weather outside. Perfect for casual snacking through a NNAT study session.
• Whole-wheat cracker and cheese- Triscuit works as well as any other cracker, and has the added benefit of being a great source of fiber. The combination of cheese and cracker will fill you child up for a long time, great for a longer study session for older children. You can add sliced tomato or other veggies to spice up this snack for NNAT preparation.
• Hummus and vegetables- This is the ultimate snack for picky eaters! With so many different types of hummus, basil, pesto, red pepper just to name a few, you are bound to find a hummus that your child likes. This snack has the added bonus of minimal preparation, just cut up the vegetables for your child to dip in the hummus. Perfect for the last minute snack for a NNAT study session.

Use these different snack ideas to keep your child focused and ready for their NNAT test preparation!