Exams can place a significant amount of pressure on children and young people. By spotting the signs of stress and supporting in a variety of ways, you can really help ease the stress they feel.??
- Mood swings??
- Irritable or easy to anger?
- More teary or emotional??
- Withdrawn or isolated??
- Difficulty sleeping??
- Unable to rest or relax??
- Complains of stomach pain, headaches or other physical pain.??
- Feeling or being sick??
- Low mood, depression or increased anxiety?
- Worrying about the future or feeling hopeless about the future?
- Loss of appetite??
- Lost enjoyment in activities they previously enjoyed??
- Lacking motivation??
- Listen. It is important that your child knows that they can talk to you or other trusted adults. They may need reminding of this from time to time. By showing interest and taking the time to listen, children feel like their concerns are validated.??
- Talk. It is important that children know that it is normal to feel nervous about exams??
- Sleep. Good quality sleep aids thinking and concentration and most teenagers need between 8 and 10 hours sleep a night. Your child may benefit from turning off screens 30 minutes or so before they go to bed to allow their brains to calm down.??
- Eating well.? A balanced diet is vital for health and wellbeing and can really help boost your child’s concentration, focus and memory. Eating healthily can also improve their immune system and reduce the likelihood of illness before an exam. Diets high in fat, sugar or caffeine can increase hyperactivity, irritability and reduce energy levels.??
- Help then study. Help make the environment a calm and comfortable place to work in and where you can, remove distractions. You could also help with writing a revision timetable or being there to ask questions and check answers. It can really help to have someone to talk to about their learning.??
- Motivate. Talk to your child about their goals and what they want to achieve. This can help give exams a purpose and motivate children to work hard. You may also agree to set small rewards along the way to build in time to recharge their batteries.??
- Perspective. It is easy for young people to feel overwhelmed by the pressure associated with exams and to feel as though their whole future depends on their grades. While it is natural that you want your child to do well, it’s really important that you help to reduce the pressure they feel and help to instil a sense of perspective.??
- Positivity. Children and young people thrive on adults around them believing in them. Positive conversations are really empowering and help them to believe in their abilities. It is also good to plan ahead for after the exams and schedule in some much-needed fun.?
