Test anxiety: How to reduce it

There are many things you can do to help your child overcome anxiety:

First, explain that feeling anxious about tests is a very common thing.

Second, when your child is anxious, try to be a calming influence. Remind your child how she has been through this before and that she did just fine.

Third, talk about what your child is feeling and help him or her try to figure out why. Does your child leave studying to the last minute? Do they not feel that they are doing well enough? Does your child think he or she needs more books, or more help from the teacher?

Fourth, a lot of anxiety comes when children haven't prepared in advance and have left everything to the last moment. To avoid this, help your child develop a study plan and a schedule, discussing when to take breaks and for how long. Praise what your child has achieved, such as 30 minutes of uninterrupted studying.

And lastly, make yourself available to quiz your child about what they are learning, or to discuss the material. Focus on what your child knows and then build on that.

If you don't think you're the best person to help your child with studying, or you simply aren't available enough, figure out who else can help — maybe your partner, a friend of your child's, or a tutor.

And if after all your efforts, your child is still becoming physically ill freezing up on tests on a consistent basis, it's probably time to get help. For more information, you may speak to a counsellor on this phone line. You can also consult your child's school teacher, principal, or guidance counsellor, or consult your physician.

To learn more about parenting and the development of children from birth to age 5, visit www.investinkids.ca

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