* Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep before a test and eats properly the day of a test.
* Maintain a pleasant home environment and avoid unnecessary conflicts. Try to make the morning of the test as normal and routine as possible.
* Ensure that your child is present during testing (children generally perform better when taking tests in their groups rather than at a make-up time).
* Get your child to school on time the day of the test.
* Wish your child good luck each morning of the test. Tell your child that he/she is special and that you believe in him/her!
* Remind your child the test is important. Encourage him/her to do his/her best.
How to Reduce Test Anxiety:
* Motivate your child to want to take a test. You can do this by reinforcing their efforts, including the studying and homework tasks, rather than focusing on having to make a certain grade.
* Help you child reduce fear and anxiety. This can be accomplished with enthusiasm, praise, and reassurance.
* Anxious children tend to have many negative thoughts ("I'm going to fail this test" or "I do badly on every test"). You can teach your child to challenge these ideas by looking at the evidence against each negative thought ("Do you really fail every test?" "Think of a time you were successful on a test"). Finally, help your child to find a more optimistic thought to use whenever the negative ones arise ("All anyone expects me to do is my best").
* Teach your child ways to relax through simple techniques such as deep breathing and meditation. Relaxation is a skill that requires learning and practice, so keep the relaxation practices short and simple. Make it a family activity, where everyone takes the time to breathe deeply: you can teach by example. Use the techniques yourself, for example, when you become frustrated while driving. Encourage your child to practice in real life situations (e.g., before going to a stressful family event).
How Parents Can Encourage Learning:
* Fill your child's world with reading.
* Show enthusiasm for your child's interests and encourage her to explore subjects that interest them.
* Encourage him to express his opinion, talk about his feelings, and make choices.
* Turn everyday events into learning opportunities.
* Focus on strengths, encouraging developing skills, talents, and interests.
* Point out the new things you learn with enthusiasm.
* Provide him with play opportunities that support different kinds of learning styles
* Ask about what he's learning in school, not about his grades or test scores.
* Celebrate achievements, no matter how small.