Helping your child with exam preparation? Join our webchat with author and journalist Matthew Syed, Wednesday 13 April, 1-2pm

[RachelMumsnet]

It’s the first day of the final school term and for many this means serious revision ahead of the summer exams. We’ve invited author and journalist Matthew Syed to join us on Wednesday 13 April at 1pm to help you assist your children in their exam preparation. Join him on Wednesday between 1 and 2pm or post your question in advance here.

Matthew’s latest book Black Box Thinking: Marginal Gains and the Secrets of High Performance explains how to turn failure into success and through fascinating case studies shows how black box thinkers have faced up to their mistakes and used them as part oftheir future strategy for success. Their lessons can be applied across every field – from sport to education, from business to health. Matthew will be on hand to answer your questions and offer advice on how to help your child - and you - face challenges both in education and in life generally.

Matthew Syed is a columnist for The Times, and the author of two acclaimed books on the science of high performance. Before becoming a writer, Matthew was the England table tennis number one for almost a decade, three-times Commonwealth Champion, and twice competed for Great Britain in the Olympic Games.

[PirateSmile]

I agree that it's important for children to fail but it's bloody hard to watch it happen.

[RachelMumsnet]

We're really sorry but Matthew has to rush off now. However he's v happy to answer all the questions and we we'll post them up before the end of the week. As soon as they are all live, we'll promote on the home page.

Thanks to everyone who posted up questions - this has been a really interesting webchat.

[MatthewSyed]

@wavingnow

I fear I've probably got it wrong but when there is so much pressure out there I don't want mine feeling like failures if they don't get these mega high grades. Secretly of course I am concerned that I'm failing them by not pushing. So my question is how do you encourage without that encouragement making them end up worrying that their efforts are not good enough?

It is such a difficult balance, isn't it? Pushing can easily turn into pressurising, but a smart nudge now and then can be crucial. Always depends on context. And the tone in which the encouragement is delivered. I am sure you will do it brilliantly!!

[MatthewSyed]

Thanks for so many brilliant questions. I have to get somehwere by 2.30pm but will answer the remaining questions by the end of the week.

Thanks again - and if anyone reads my new book black box thinking, I so hope you enjoy it!!

M

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

Thanks Matthew, very encouraging webchat

Follow up question ... do you have any tips for adding some spin to my table-tennis play? I think that may be the key to taking it to the next level!

I might even be able to beat the DC again like I used to in the good old days

[gleegeek]

Thanks for your comprehensive feedback. Will have a good think about it! Great webchat

[Arsenicinthesugarbowl]

Thanks for your time! I read some of these answers including the one to my own question to my 16yo! She actually put the books down this evening for a few minutes......

[SorchaMumsnet]

Hello all! Thanks to everyone who joined this great webchat with Matthew yesterday. I'd like to announce the winners of the prize draw for the signed copies of his book Black Box Thinking... Congratulations JugglingFromHereToThere, guerre and neolara!

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

Oh, brilliant - that sounds like it will be a very interesting read. Thanks Matthew and MNHQ

Only the second time I've won something through MN - my JosephJoseph silicon kitchen spatulas are great too, and used everyday

[guerre]

Thank you so much! Very pleased to be getting a copy

[SorchaMumsnet]

We now have the answers to the rest of your questions back from Matthew and are about to put them up!

[MatthewSyed]

@AddToBasket

I read Bounce and it changed my life and my parenting. It's the book that has had the most influence on me in the last decade and I am always recommending it.

Do you have any practical tips for how to help children receive results and feedback in a positive and productive way? Especially when they might be hugely disappointed (missed uni places, etc) Thanks.

Thanks for the kind comments about Bounce! Yours is an important question, and it depends on the context. If they have done badly on a piece of homework, you might caution against overreaction if they get very gloomy. But if they haven't got into their university of choice, then disappointment is entirely natural. But the most vital question is: what will you do next? Will you allow this to undermine your motivation and drive to have a fulfilling life, or will you explore the myriad opportunities that still exist, and moreover learn from the disappointment, for there will always be lessons. Failure is never the end of life, only the beginning. It is how we respond that matters the most.

[MatthewSyed]

@JugglingFromHereToThere

My DD is just coming up to her AS exams in a few weeks time!
She's worried that she's not done enough revision especially over Easter and has been talking about failing them and other rather drastic talk in last few days. She did do some revision most days over Easter though, even though she also had a brief residential trip away with a youth group. I think she's also doing at least as much as she did last year and she did well in her GCSE's. AS mocks in Feb didn't go so well though.

So question is, given where are ...... How can she make the best use of the 6 weeks or so she has left before exams?

She's also doing Art which takes up a lot of her energy and time. Art exam is a little earlier at end of April. But still there's only two clear weeks after Art is over before she takes her other three.

Hopefully she'll be dropping one after AS for next year

Always have a clear idea of what the priorities are, and then establish a timetable for learning them, and work systematically (and hopefully calmly) through it. Take regular breaks. Make sure she eats properly. Encourage her to enjoy her learning, and to see the inherent fascination in the topics (all subjects are interesting!). The brain absorbs more information when it one is passionate about one's subjects as opposed to doing them grudgingly or resentfully.

[MatthewSyed]

@RachelMumsnet

Just before the webchat I was asking Matthew about how we can help our children succeed in maths and thought I'd put this up online. My daughter (16) has struggled with maths throughout school. I think part of the problem was that she felt from a v early age that she was 'no good at maths' and gave up. It's only since starting her GCSEs that she's worked incredibly hard and stands to get a good grade and realises she can do it. I just wish she'd come to this conclusion earlier. How can we help children succeed who feel they will never 'get' maths?

This is SO important. In the UK and the US there is a very prevalent view that some people just "don't have a brain for numbers". Children who absorb this view (and there are thousands of them) tend to become demotivated, lack resilience, and often switch off during class.

We need to get across the empowering idea that everyone can learn the amazing realm of maths with engagement and perseverance; that it is like anything else in life: we get better as we engage. Please Google "growth mindset". It is the attitude that drives success, not just in maths, but in life.

[MatthewSyed]

@JugglingFromHereToThere

Thanks Matthew, very encouraging webchat

Follow up question ... do you have any tips for adding some spin to my table-tennis play? I think that may be the key to taking it to the next level!

I might even be able to beat the DC again like I used to in the good old days

It's all in the wrist!! Fast racquet head, fine contact point, and lots of finesse!!