Mama Life - Collaborative Post
Exams are no laughing matter and children are often acutely aware of how important they are. This of course brings a certain amount of stress to the table. No matter what their age, all children are capable of worry and stress and this is best avoided if your child is to do well. Anxiety can hamper a child’s natural abilities so it’s in their best interest to help them learn how to manage exams early on in their school career.
This independent school in Barnet believes that nurturing children is just as important as encouraging them to try their hardest, so remember to give your child a lot of love as well as firmness.
Teaching the importance of preparation
There’s nothing to beat preparation when it comes to exams. No matter how academic the child, preparing properly is vital if your child is to remain as relaxed as possible during the exams. Help your child to create a revision calendar and to keep a tidy workspace. Speak to their teachers to ensure that your child has the proper timetable and understands what is expected of them.
Tell your child that if they have any concerns at all, it is far better to air them sooner rather than later – then problems can be fixed! A tidy and organised desk is far more pleasant to work at than a messy one so make sure your child has somewhere to keep pens, papers and books.
Sleep and how to ensure your child gets enough
Sleep is vital when it comes to exams. An overtired child will not perform well. Make sure that your child has adequate ventilation and that light does not come into their room too early. Rooms should be tidy and pleasant and all devices should be switched off at a sensible time.
If your child is too fond of their mobile device, it might be a good idea to install a parental app on there. These offer settings which allow the internet access to be switched off at a pre-selected time.
Diet and concentration
Junk food is a bad idea during exam times. Too much sugar can cause foggy thinking and disrupt sleep. Your child need not feel deprived; a treat at weekends is fine.
Exercise
Exercise if important as it helps the brain to function more effectively. During periods of intense revision, your child should have a short walk every hour. Ten minutes in the fresh air will revitalise them and mean they can concentrate better when they return to their desk.
Above all, make sure your child understands that there is always the opportunity to re-sit if things don’t work out in their favour. It’s not the end of the world if they fail or score lower marks than they hoped.
