At Wild About Outdoors, we believe in a holistic approach to 11+ exam preparation that combines rigorous academic focus with enriching outdoor activities aimed to develop skills needed to thrive after the exam. Our program is designed to foster a love of learning, develop critical thinking skills, and ensure children are well-prepared for their exams and their future learning while enjoying the benefits of fresh air and physical activity. Here’s how we do it:
1. Wild About 11+ After-School Sessions:
Our after-school sessions are meticulously planned to cover key areas of the 11+ curriculum plus their corresponding skills. We focus on:
English and Verbal Reasoning:
Focused Learning: Children work on comprehension, vocabulary, and verbal reasoning exercises to build their language skills in a fun environment. For example, they may need to complete a friendly relay race to receive a character card enhancing their creative writing, or a SPaG clue.
Enrichment Activities: Post-study, children engage in creative activities such as painting, which helps reinforce learning through visual arts and imagination. These change termly to add variety and to develop a wide range of skills and interests.
Non-Verbal Reasoning and Maths:
Focused Learning: Sessions include puzzles, logic games, and maths problems to enhance non-verbal reasoning and mathematical abilities. We use modelling if possible with blocks, potions stations, giant counters, or outdoor scales.
Enrichment Activities: We incorporate hands-on activities like sculpture building, which helps children understand spatial relationships and geometrical concepts through tactile learning. Again, these change termly to add variety and to develop a wide range of skills and interests.
2. Nature Explorer Sessions for Reception and KS1:
For younger children, our Nature Explorer sessions integrate play-based learning with foundational 11+ skills:
Play-Related Learning: Activities are designed to introduce basic concepts in a fun, interactive way. Examples include:
Treasure Hunts: These activities introduce early numeracy and literacy skills through themed hunts where children solve simple puzzles and find hidden objects.
Storytime in Nature: Combining storytelling with outdoor exploration helps boost language skills and imagination.
3. Thematic Outdoor Holiday Days:
Our holiday programs are packed with thematic adventure days, each focusing on different components of the 11+ exam:
Creative Fitness Boot Camp: Children participate in physical activities that incorporate academic challenges. For example, a circuit might include solving math problems at each station.
Clue Hunts: Kids solve clues related to English and maths to progress through the course.
Shelter Building and Survival Skills Scenarios: These activities teach problem-solving and teamwork while linking to topics in science and comprehension.
Survival Scenarios: Children use logic and reasoning to navigate survival scenarios, enhancing their critical thinking.
Outdoor Escape Rooms: These games involve solving riddles and puzzles that reinforce verbal and non-verbal reasoning skills.
Code Cracking: Kids work in teams to decipher codes, which improves their analytical and cooperative skills.
4. Curricular Integration:
All our activities are designed to align with the 11+ curriculum. We ensure that every outdoor adventure has clear educational objectives, making learning an integrated, enjoyable part of the experience.
Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning: Through team-based challenges, children practice and enhance these skills in dynamic, real-world scenarios.
English and Maths: Our thematic days ensure that core subjects are covered in engaging ways, such as:
Math Mysteries and Logic Legends: Children solve complex math problems within a fun narrative context.
Wild Writing Expeditions: Kids engage in creative writing tasks inspired by their outdoor explorations.
5. Fresh Air and Physical Activity:
We believe that learning should not be confined to the classroom. Our approach ensures that children benefit from:
Increased Focus and Concentration: Studies show that outdoor learning can enhance concentration and cognitive function
Reduced Stress: Nature-based activities help lower stress levels, creating a more conducive learning environment.
Physical Health: Regular physical activity is vital for overall well-being and complements academic growth.
By blending rigorous academic preparation with the joys of outdoor adventures, Wild About Outdoors offers a unique and effective approach to 11+ exam readiness. Our programs are designed to nurture not just academic skills but also personal growth, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning. Join us and see how we can make your child’s 11+ preparation a truly enriching experience!
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