| Sweaty palms, accelerated heart rate, and | | | | • Keep a positive attitude about tests. |
| nausea are all common symptoms among students | | | | Test taking is a part of life, and the sooner |
| who suffer from test anxiety. The anxiety | | | | a child can master the experience of testing |
| some students experience before an exam is so | | | | the easier the process will become. |
| strong that it can lead to poor performance | | | | |
| and disrupt their ability to learn. | | | | • Mark down test days on the calendar |
| | | | together so you and your child are aware of |
| Parents play an important role in helping | | | | testing dates and can plan ahead. |
| their child ease test-taking anxiety by | | | | |
| providing support, encouragement and a | | | | • Make sure your child gets enough |
| positive learning environment. | | | | sleep the night before the test. Feeling |
| | | | alert and rested will help her performance. |
| Dr. Andrea Pastorok, child psychologist for | | | | |
| Kumon Math and Reading Centers, offers the | | | | • Prepare a healthy breakfast for your |
| following tips for parents to help children | | | | child the day of the exam. A heavy or |
| relax and approach exams with confidence: | | | | high-sugar breakfast may cause your child to |
| | | | be groggy or hyper. Fuel your child's brain |
| • Encourage your children to space out | | | | and body with a nutritious meal. |
| their studying and homework assignments so | | | | |
| they won't be forced to cram the night before | | | | • Make sure your child gets up early |
| the test. Daily practice is the key to | | | | enough to arrive on time to school. Rushing |
| mastering a subject. | | | | creates panic and increases anxiety. |
| | | | |
| • Provide a quiet, well-lit area with | | | | • If your child continues to struggle |
| little distractions to help your child focus | | | | on tests, talk to him about it and meet with |
| and study efficiently. | | | | his teacher to learn new ways to help. |
| | | | |
| • Practice with your child to ensure | | | | • Praise and reward your child for her |
| comprehension and mastery of the concepts | | | | hard work preparing for the test. Positive |
| being tested. If your child doesn't | | | | reinforcement encourages a child to keep up |
| understand a topic, seeing it on a test will | | | | the good work. |
| increase anxiety. | | | | |
| | | | Remember, easing test anxiety is a process |
| • Encourage your child to do well, but | | | | and there is no quick fix. Be patient with |
| don't add pressure or negative consequences | | | | your child and help him or her gain the |
| tied to test results. It's important your | | | | skills needed to overcome this challenge. |
| child knows you'll be proud and offer support | | | | Doing well on a test is important, but not as |
| regardless of the outcome. | | | | important as helping your child gain |
| | | | confidence, life skills and character. |