As a parent, it’s important to do what you can to make sure your child is prepared for any big academic challenge that may come their way. Exams are one of the most common tests students will face and can be a source of stress and anxiety – especially if they don’t feel ready.
With some planning and careful preparation leading up to the exam, you can make all the difference in helping your child succeed. Here are 6 essential things you should keep in mind when getting your child ready for their next exam!
Make sure your child understands the material they are being tested on
Taking tests is stressful for many children, which can lead to a sense of helplessness and low self-confidence. As a parent, it’s important to provide your child with the resources and support they need to succeed on their exams. To help them get the best results possible, make sure your child understands the material they are being tested on. Prioritize studying with them in advance, answer any questions they may have, and encourage them to look up any concepts they don’t fully understand.
Moreover, online, you can find resources that can help out your children with learning. Whether it’s 11+ Exam Papers to help study for the 11+ Exam or Maths Tutoring, or Online English Tuition, there are ways to give your child the extra help they need. That way, when your child goes into their exam with a better understanding of the material, they’ll be much more confident in their ability to succeed.
Establish a clear timeline for your kids when to study, how much time to spend, and when to take breaks in between studying
Establishing a clear timeline for your kids when it comes to studying is essential if you want to ensure they are productively utilizing their time while also avoiding burnout. Just as important as knowing when to study and how long their study sessions should be, breaks in between studying must also be planned accordingly.
Giving kids reasonable time frames for completing their school work and taking regular breaks gives them an achievable schedule, provides a structure from which creativity can emerge, and embeds the expectation that everyone at home should get down to hard work. Encouraging kids to stick to reasonable timelines for their school work helps build better habits and a stronger work ethic through practice and repetition.
Encourage your child to ask questions and seek help if needed when it comes to studying
Your child feeling safe to ask questions and seek help with studying is an important part of their success. Asking for help and being open to learning is a sign of confidence that shows your child’s willingness to tackle challenging material. Even if they don’t always get the right answer as quickly as they’d like, having the courage to explore topics outside their comfort zone can help them learn and grow.
Helping them develop the necessary skills to seek out assistance and resources pays dividends both in the short-term and long-term – plus, it’s rewarding for you! When your child takes the initiative, you can be proud knowing that you did everything possible to set them up for success.
Create a study plan for your kids with achievable goals and rewards for meeting them
Establishing a study plan for your kids is not only beneficial for their academic achievement but can also help instill habits of organization and planning, as well as discipline. Setting achievable goals and rewards can be a powerful motivational force, particularly when dealing with complex academic material.
For each goal you set, it’s important to make sure they’re age-appropriate, both in terms of content and rewards. Younger children may require more frequent incentive breaks than older ones, so that makes an important consideration during the planning process.
Discuss these plans with your kids in advance so that everyone involved has a clear understanding of what’s expected and what consequences an unfulfilled task may bring. Creating a study plan for your family doesn’t have to be grueling – with the right attitude, it should be fun, useful, educational, and ultimately rewarding!
Set aside time for practice tests so your child can become familiar with the test format and types of questions asked
Setting aside time for practice tests is a great way to help your child prepare for their upcoming exams. Not only does it give them a chance to review the material, but practice tests can also help them become familiar with the test format and types of questions they may encounter on the actual exam.
It’s best to do this early in the study period so that they have enough time to work on any problem areas and shouldn’t be rushed or stressed when taking their real test. Make sure you manage expectations though, so that both you and your child don’t become too overwhelmed by their progress. If used properly, practice tests are an invaluable resource in helping your child get great results on their exams!
Teach your child coping strategies for managing stress during the exam
Exam season can be a source of unease, uncertainty, and stress for both parents and their children. Fortunately, it is possible to teach your child preventive lifestyle techniques that will reduce stress in the long run.
Stress-management strategies such as deep breathing, nutrition, physical exercise, and restful sleep are proven measures that help children cope with exam-related anxiety. Be sure to explicitly show them how to utilize these techniques as well as offer emotional support throughout the process. Doing so will equip children with tools to help them forge ahead into adulthood with a healthy attitude about their academic goals.
The exam period can be a stressful time for both children and parents. But with proper planning, guidance, encouragement, and support from you, they can face these exams with confidence. As a parent, you bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table which your child can benefit greatly from. With your help, they may not only pass the exam but have a deeper understanding of the material as well.
So if you are looking to help your child go beyond just passing their tests, it’s important to think about what strategies are going to work best for them – focusing on study plans, practice tests, breaks, and incentives should prove beneficial in getting them through this tough period of their academic career. Good luck!
