How to Help Your Child Perform Well in their Tests*

Exams period is tough for children, no matter how old they are. However, there are things that parents can do to help their children manage stress and perform well on the day of the tests. I have teamed up with Wetherby Pembridge, a school for girls and boys aged 3 to 14, to offer parents some advice around helping children perform well in their tests.

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First of all, it’s important to ensure your child is getting plenty of rest. Well-rested kids tend to be more attentive and generally healthier; if they’re sleep deprived and tired, they are less likely to perform well in their tests. Depending on your child’s age, they should get between eight and eleven hours of sleep each night.

Try to make exam prep as engaging (and in some cases fun) as possible. Everyone has a different learning style so you should try and factor this in when helping your child prepare for their tests. Some children learn better with visual cues, such as pictures and diagrams, while others will prefer to talk things through with a study buddy. Think about how your child learns and use this to improve how you teach.

If you want your child to approach their exams with a positive and calm mentality, it’s important that you promote the same mood within your home. Parents can often transfer their anxiety onto their children, which only boosts the pressure. Instead try to be optimistic and encouraging. Be sure to praise your child for the effort they’re putting into their exam prep, rather than reprimanding them for getting things wrong.

It might be worth familiarising your child with a test environment, so that they know what to expect. This will help them feel more in control on the day. Print out some practise tests and ask them to complete them in a silent, timed setting. Talking them through the process as much as possible will also be beneficial.

I cannot believe in May, my daughter will be sitting her first set of exams. I’m hoping thanks to these tips I can ensure she’s well prepared.