MyTeacherToolsAD – this is a paid collaboration.
Exams can be stressful for children who might feel under pressure to perform to a certain level. Stress can affect their performance in exams, so it’s important to help them manage any anxiety as much as possible. As parents, we can’t take the exams for our children, as much as we might like to, but we can be there for them and support them all the way. Here an independent college in London outlines some ways you can help your child manage stress during the exam period.
Set a Schedule
Work with your child to devise a realistic revision schedule leading up to the exams, considering aspects such as what time of day they work best and what their individual learning style is. Make sure it includes regular breaks and incorporates some time for exercise and fun activities. Help your child to come up with different ways they can revise subject matter to make it a bit more interesting. Seeing a revision schedule laid out will help ease any anxiety they might be feeling about fitting everything in and lower the stress levels.
A Healthy Lifestyle
Encourage your child to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout the revision and exam period. This includes making time for exercise, preferably outside to get a beneficial dose of fresh air, as well as eating healthily and getting enough sleep. Make sure they’re still getting time to socialise with friends, and do fun or creative activities, to counteract the intensity of revision. You could also suggest things like meditation or relaxing baths to help combat stress.
Communication
Ask your child regularly how they’re getting on with revision and make it clear that you’re there for support if they need you. You could offer to help with revision, for example, holding up flash cards or testing them on a particular topic. Ask your child how they’re feeling and whether they’re experiencing any stress and, if so, what they think might help. It’s also important to reassure children that, no matter what the outcome, they are loved unconditionally. Remind them that, even if their results aren’t as good as they hope, there is always a path open to them and that you’ll work out the next steps together.
Exams are often stressful for children, but parents can help them manage exam anxiety by supporting them unconditionally, helping them plan ahead and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.
