One of the biggest worries mums have when preparing their children for the 11 Plus is how much writing practice is enough. Some mums tell me their child writes every day, while others struggle to get one piece a week done – and feel guilty about it.

Let me reassure you right now: it’s not about doing more. It’s about doing the right kind of writing, consistently.

I remember a mum I worked with a few years ago who was trying to fit a writing task into her daughter’s schedule every single day. The daughter became anxious, the writing got worse – and the results didn’t match the effort. Once we reduced the sessions to twice a week, focusing on quality over quantity, everything changed. Her writing started to flow again.

So, how often should your child practice?

The Ideal Frequency

That gives your child time to:

• Learn new techniques
• Apply what they’ve learned
• Rest, reflect and improve

If your child is in Year 4, even once a week is fine – as long as it’s focused.

What to Prioritise in Each Session

Each writing session should focus on one key skill, such as:

• Story structure
• Using similes or personification
• Creating a strong opening
• Writing a powerful ending
• Adding emotional detail

This way, each piece has a clear purpose – and your child gets better one step at a time.

That’s exactly how we teach inside the Creative Writing Crash Course. Every module builds on the last, with clear, bite-sized tasks that your child can complete in around 30 minutes.

Weekly Routine Ideas

Here’s a sample weekly writing routine that works well for most families:

That’s it – three short sessions. And if life gets busy, even one full session per week can make a big difference over time.

Quality Over Quantity

A rushed story every day won’t help your child improve. A thoughtful piece once or twice a week – where they plan, write, and review – will.

I’ve seen children make huge progress by simply writing one well-crafted story per week – especially when it’s paired with useful feedback, which brings me to this:

if you want your child to practise writing the right way, without getting burnt out or lost in guesswork, the Creative Writing Crash Course is for you.

Your Next Step

Inside the Crash Course, your child will:

• Learn all the essential 11 Plus writing techniques
• Complete short, focused tasks
• Get access to model examples
• Submit their work for expert video feedback (if you choose the marking option)

No more trying to figure it all out yourself. No more daily battles to get writing done.

Just a clear path to progress – one story at a time.

Start the Creative Writing Crash Course today and give your child a routine that works.