Exam time can be as stressful for you as a parent as it is for your child.
The heat of exam pressure and the lack of sleep can sometimes cause your child to become short-tempered and emotional. How can you support your child during exam preparation?
Some of the best ways to support your child as he or she is preparing for the SA2s happens at home. We have outlined some useful exam tips below for you!
1. Know The Exam Schedule
Pin the exam timetable up prominently at home — on the fridge or on your child’s calendar. You might like to highlight each key exam date and take note of the date and time of each paper your child has to take.
2. Create A Supportive Atmosphere
Your attitude is crucial! Remain calm and encouraging in order to avoid transferring any anxiety on to your child in the lead up to the exams.
3. Help Your Child Manage Stress
It’s especially crucial to observe how your child is dealing his or her stress. Ask how you can help if he or she appears to be struggling. Sometimes it’s enough for your child just to talk things through with you. By actively listening, you can support your child plenty!
READ OUR RELATED ARTICLE: EXAM TIPS — HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD COPE WITH STRESS
4. Share Your Own Exam Experience With Your Child
Share about your own experience dealing with exams when you were back in school. Telling your child how you overcame the challenges you faced while preparing for your exams in the past gives him or her the confidence that he or she is not alone on this journey.
Reassure your child that feeling stressed and anxious is completely normal. More importantly, remind your child of his or her hard work and that he or she can turn to you for advice!
5. Ensure Your Child Has A Balanced Routine
Help your child to establish a healthy balance between dedicated study time and periods of rest and relaxation.
READ OUR RELATED ARTICLE: REST EASY — WHY SLEEP AFFECTS LEARNING
As your child spends hours revising for his or her exams, a cycle of study with few breaks and surviving on a diet of ‘at the desk’ snack food and energy drinks can also compromise your child’s health and exam preparations.
As a parent, you can help your child by ensuring that he or she eats meals at regular times. You can also prepare servings of healthy snacksto energise him or her during revision time. Fruits such as blueberries, blackcurrants and other berries are rich in vitamin C — this is thought to help improve mental agility.
Are you a parent of a stressed child who's preparing for exams? Share your experiences and advice in the comments section below.
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