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