How to Keep Your Child Motivated for the 11+ Over the Christmas Holidays
Christmas is just around the corner, and for many families it’s one of the busiest times of the year. Between school events, last minute shopping, family visits and trying to keep the house vaguely tidy, it can feel almost impossible to think about 11+ preparation as well, and that’s completely normal.
The good news is that keeping your child gently motivated over the holidays doesn’t require hours of revision or a strict timetable. With a few calm, practical ideas (and a little support from KSOL when you need it), you can help them stay confident and on track without taking away the fun and magic of the break.
With around eight months to go until the 11+, we know from experience how quickly time seems to accelerate once the new year begins. If there is one thing to keep in mind as you read this, it’s that the routines your child build now, play a key role in how confident and prepared they feel as the exam approaches.
Maintain a Healthy Reading Routine
Reading is one of the most effective ways for children to stay mentally active over the holidays without it feeling like extra work.
Just 10–15 minutes a day helps build vocabulary and comprehension skills.
Simple ways to encourage reading:
- Set aside a short, relaxed daily reading time
- Offer a choice of fiction and non-fiction
- Explore magazines, articles or short stories
- Take turns reading pages if your child finds it motivating
A small amount of regular reading is enough to keep skills developing steadily.
Keep Motivation up with Light, Informal Learning
Light, festive themed activities can be far more effective and manageable than rigid study plans.
Some easy ideas include:
- Festive baking which naturally involves everyday maths like ratio scaling and finding fractions of amounts.
- Logic puzzles such as sudoku or Rubik’s cubes
- Board games that build vocabulary skills like Scrabble or Articulate
These activities support learning in key 11+ topics in a relaxed and enjoyable way.
Avoid Rigid Schedules, Aim for Gentle Consistency
A strict holiday timetable isn’t necessary. Instead, aim for small, consistent habits that keep your child’s confidence steady.
Ideally this would include:
- Daily KSOL online tests
- 15 minutes of reading a day
- A puzzle or game once or twice a week
- 1 hour LIVE lessons
This light structure helps to maintain momentum but still allows for a relaxing break. It's also important to encourage their efforts and to maintain a positive attitude, as a little encouragement goes a long way.
KSOL Tutors Recommend LIVE Sessions to Provide Structured Support
At this stage of the 11+ journey, many parents worry about motivation slipping over the holidays, but also want to avoid becoming the person who has to enforce revision. KSOL LIVE Sessions can help take that pressure away by offering short, focused bursts of learning that keep children engaged while still leaving plenty of time for festive fun.
Each session is taught live by a qualified KSOL teacher in a small, interactive group, giving children the chance to ask questions, practise key techniques and receive instant feedback. The lessons focus on the 11+ topics that students commonly find challenging, and every session includes a personalised report to help guide your child’s next steps.
Each lesson is one focused hour of work, so they slot easily into holiday plans and provide the right amount of structure without overwhelming the break.
Full information about our LIVE Sessions is available here.
Keep the Holidays Positive and Balanced
Most importantly, remember that children benefit from rest and time away from their usual routines. A refreshed, well-rested child will return to January learning with far more confidence and motivation.
This time of year is an opportunity to enjoy family activities, spend quality time together and make the most of the break; whatever that looks like for your household.
Final Thoughts
The 11+ is a long journey, and the winter break is an opportunity to support motivation in a balanced, sustainable way. With light daily habits, manageable learning activities and the additional structure of KSOL LIVE Sessions, you can enjoy the break while keeping your child on track.
Find out more about KSOL LIVE Sessions here.