Exams illicit a number of undesirable emotions such as dread, panic and anxiousness for both learners and parents.
Learners today are required to take more tests throughout their schooling and career paths than ever before. It is important to learn the skills and strategies that will enable you as a parent to handle all types of test and exam preparations.
Grade 4 is a tough year for the learners enrolled in the South African schooling system. Not only is it the first year that these learners start rotating classes, but it is also their first year of formal school exams. This article will focus on a variety of tips that you can implement to ensure your child learns these vital skills and is well-prepared for their upcoming exams.
Here are some tips to calm the first-time exam nerves:
1. Parents are their child's first teacher. Set the tone at home by being mindful of how you speak about exams.
Instead of focusing on the stress and anxiety which is often associated with exams, refer to exams as an opportunity to learn and grow.
2. Create order and familiarity! Have a designated area for your child to study.
It is important to select a place which is free from most distractions. Your child should be able to identify this space as their study area in which they are able to sit down and concentrate.
It does not always have to be a quiet space, but it needs to be the place where they can focus (this differs from person to person).
NB! Their bed is NOT allowed to be one of these spaces. We associate ‘bed’ with rest and sleep. This is the opposite of what their place of study should be.
3. No cellphones!
This device can be very distracting for individuals of all ages let alone children. Cellphones should not be available in the designated study area. According to research, the mere presence of an e-device reduces a person’s ability to focus.
4. Establish what study material needs to be covered and how much time is needed for each study session.
Prioritise the most difficult and time-consuming tasks so that you attend to these first. You will also tend to have more motivation and energy in the beginning.
The most urgent tasks should also be done first, just in case any questions may arise, you will then have ample time to find the answers.
5. Teach your child to put in the effort to reap the rewards.
Hard work and determination are important values to teach children and have a lifelong impact on their future capabilities, confidence and overall happiness. Teaching your children to persevere when things get tough and to work hard to achieve their goals and aspirations is one of the most important skills our children can learn.
Praise their efforts more than their actual accomplishments. This will positively reinforce them to repeat their actions to elicit another positive reaction. Praise your child when he or she tries again after they fail or when you see them practicing a skill over and over again. This will help your child learn that hard work, effort and practice is valued as much as (or even more than) the actual outcome.
6. Coach your child instead of taking over.
A coach’s job is to help expand and improve skills. Instead of hopping in to fix or finish something when your child struggles, ask yourself what tool, thought or mindset can help your child finish what they may be trying to do. Yes, it will take your child longer to do something on their own than it would take for you to just do it yourself. Remember, during a test or an exam, you will not be in the room with your child. Unless your child gets to practice doing this task on their own, they will not learn this vital skill. It is also important to remember that every time you jump in to fix or finish something for your child, you are signalling that you do not believe in their ability to accomplish it themselves.
7. Most importantly, teach your child to believe in their abilities so that they can feel confident and less anxious.
Turn up the power songs! Music can be a good stress-release. Research suggests that it can also be empowering. Listening to high-volume, bass-heavy songs tends to put people in a more powerful frame of mind.
Create a playlist of songs that make your child feel strong and energised. They can listen to this playlist on the way to school, during study breaks and just before the exam
Of course, hearing “We Will Rock You” will not guarantee a distinction, but it might give your child the confidence surge they need to perform their best.
Teach your child a power pose. Researchers have found that when people make themselves physically ‘small’ by slouching or crossing their arms, they may feel less confident about the task ahead of them. However, the opposite may be true when they stretch out and make themselves ‘large’. Show your child two “power poses” that they can do before school or the exam day. For example, ask them to hold their arms wide and high above her head for two minutes.
Over and above these tips, it is so important to take care of yourself and to take care of your child. Firstly, you need to examine your own emotional state as well as theirs. It is more difficult to assist your child with studying and concentrate when you are upset, anxious or worried. The same applies to your child. Identify the problem and develop a concrete plan to deal with it. In order to deal with the problem/s, you need to get more information about the problem/s and talk to the appropriate person/s concerned (friends, family, colleagues, a professional). It is also completely normal to ask for assistance as well! Life is demanding for all parents in this day and age. Should you need a formal tutor to assist your child, please contact us at TutorBox on 011 450 4528 or email us on info@tutorbox.co.za. Alternatively, visit our website (www.tutorbox.co.za). In addition, should you or your child require assistance in regards to stress-management or study skills, please feel free to contact our in-house Psychologist on the same number or email as mentioned above.
Last, but not least, be a positive role model and be a constant support!
“Encourage and support your kids because children are apt to live up to what you believe of them!”
