The LinkyThinks Blog
Tips, ideas and strategies to help your child at home, at school and beyond.
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Why children are bad at checking their work
Children often miss their own mistakes. Here’s how to help them check, edit and improve their work properly.
The easiest way to quickly improve creative writing
One simple creative writing technique that helps children make their stories sound more mature and engaging.
The verbal reasoning mistake children always make
Why children confuse synonyms with associated words, and how to avoid this common verbal reasoning trap.
Exams don’t test what you know.
Exams reward how well students communicate what they know, not just what they understand in their heads.
Why reasoning matters more than right answers
Reasoning tests are about thinking, patterns and explanation, not just ticking the correct answer.
The problem with flashcards for vocabulary
Flashcards can help vocabulary, but the real learning happens between recognition and confident use.
Are reasoning skills really ‘innate’, or can children improve them?
Reasoning may feel fixed, but children can improve with the right practice, patterns and thinking habits.
Why success in English Is all about balance
Strong English work depends on balance: knowing how much detail, technique and explanation to include.
Want to improve your child’s writing? Start with speaking
Speaking helps children organise thoughts, develop ideas and become more confident writers.
The words you use shape the world you see
Vocabulary doesn’t just improve writing. It shapes how children think, describe and understand the world.
A small grammar detail makes a big difference
A simple grammar point that helps children avoid common synonym and antonym mistakes in verbal reasoning.
Exams don’t test what you know. They test your ability to communicate what you know.
Why students lose marks when strong knowledge isn’t organised and communicated clearly on the page.
One tiny word that causes big Comprehension problems
The word “why” often trips children up in comprehension. Here’s how to help them answer properly.
Try getting it wrong, to help them get it right
Modelling mistakes can help children spot problems, explain thinking and build confidence in their own ideas.
The Verbal Reasoning trap
Children often choose linked words instead of true synonyms. This simple trap can cost marks in reasoning tests.
How to slow down the child who rushes
Help fast-working children slow down, check properly and take more pride in their work.
Revision: the myths, debunked
Common revision advice isn’t always useful. Learn smarter ways to help children study effectively.
Should your child be reading ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’?
Light, funny books can still support reading habits, vocabulary and confidence when used in the right way.
What are 11+ creative writing examiners really looking for?
What makes a creative writing answer stand out in 11+ and independent school entrance exams?
Building inference skills for comprehension
Inference is a thinking skill, not just a reading skill. Here’s how parents can build it at home.