Radio Commentary
Does your child get stressed
about tests? If so, this time of year will be challenging.
These pointers can ease your
child’s worries about finals and help your child cope with test anxiety:
• Get the facts: Find out the exact
dates your child will be tested and which tests he will take.
• Talk to your child: Find out whether
your child is feeling nervous and if so, why. Often children feel better when
they voice their fears instead of shutting them up inside.
Your
reassurances will help him feel less scared.
• Help your child practice: If your
child is familiar with the format of the test, she’ll feel more prepared.
Ask his teacher
for some sample questions or materials that can help him get acquainted with
the set-up.
• Take care of the basics: See that
your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before the test and eats
breakfast that morning. It’s true that the brain can’t work its best if the
stomach is empty.
• Keep your cool: While tests have
increasing importance, they are just one measure of student learning so try to
keep the process in perspective.
If you can find a
way not to take things too seriously, your child will probably feel calmer too.
So be sure to
reassure children that they should prepare to do their best, and that is all
you ask.
