With a pandemic continuing to put life on hold, many families are finding that this extends to their preparation for gifted, talented and selective schools. While families would typically start this prep process early, there have been some significant roadblocks. Tests are often delayed, in-person tutoring services are closed indefinitely, and direct information from schools is often on hold as well.
Given the absence of the usual ways to prepare, families are scrambling to get their kids ready over the summer. But what are the options?
To make this process easier, we’ll go through three different options for gifted, talented, and selective test prep: self-guided prep, virtual tutoring, and our guided SMART Start course.
Option 1: Self-Guided Prep
What it looks like: Parents are their child’s greatest teachers, and you can make a lot of headway (with the right tools) when you make use of different books, workbooks, and games designed to help your child think critically. Check out our store for tons of different play-based, printable options you can get started on right away.
Benefits: Prep books and materials are self-paced and flexible, so if you’re planning to travel or otherwise disconnect this summer, you can pick back up right where you left off. This option is also cost-effective. Test prep books and games offer a moderate level of independence, so while you’ll need to get your child started, they can work independently, which is great for parents who are working remotely and need to get their jobs done.
Option 2: Virtual Tutoring
What it looks like: Many test prep companies have taken their in-person services and gone virtual. With this option, the tutor will give your child an initial assessment to see where they are and complete a set number of tutoring sessions tailored to your child’s specific needs. These can be one-on-one sessions or small-group sessions, allowing your child to work alongside their peers. Here at The Critical Thinking Child, our Academic Boot Camp sessions focus on exactly this.
Benefits: In-person tutoring is less work on you as the parent. You’ll need to sign your child up and then you can be completely hands-off, which is helpful if you’re working from home or juggling childcare needs for other children. Tutors are educational experts who are trained in their content, and tutoring is beneficial because it’s based specifically on what your child needs.
Option 3: Get support through the SMART Start online course
What it looks like: If you want to play a more active role in your child’s education, this is the option for you. This course focuses on helping your child acquire critical SMART skills: Spatial, Analogies, Reasoning and Tech. In this course, the parents will be in the driver’s seat, learning strategies to use with their children at home. You’ll gain access to an ever-growing library of lessons and activities, as well as monthly calls with us and assessments to use with your child at home. This course will help your child prepare for gifted tests but works well for all students, regardless of giftedness.
Benefits: This course is a great option for parents who want to take the lead and have a hands-on approach to their child’s education. In addition, it’s a good solution for families who couldn’t afford test prep in the past but still needed guidance beyond just purchasing a test prep book. You can sign up here.
Get a head start on your gifted and talented child’s test prep
No matter which of the options for gifted, talented, and selective test prep you choose, getting a head start on this process is always beneficial for your child!
