Top tips for supporting your child during exam time: As exam season begins, the Action for Children’s Parent Talk group publishes top tips for supporting your child during exam time.
The stress of testing can be overwhelming for many children and teens, and the anxiety and anticipation can reverberate throughout the house. Last year, more than 5 million students took their GCSEs and almost 800,000 students sat their A Level exams. [i]. With the exam season starting again, it can be difficult for parents and guardians to know how to support their child during this difficult time.
Joanna Miskin has top tips to help children and teens manage depression:
Think about it and don’t force them
As a parent or carer, you can expect your child to do well but be aware that this can add to the stress and can add to their problems. Children want to do well in their tests, so they are pushing themselves – they may be feeling pressure from their teachers and peers. No matter how much you worry, it’s important to stay positive! Remind your child of his strengths and qualities and show him that you are proud of him regardless of his test results.
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Help to manage the work
You can help them make a timetable for learning or get colored paper and pens to make flashcards to help organize the information into sections. which can be maintained. Start vacation and time off work. Exercise is a great way to help clear up brain fog after a long day of studying.
Balanced diet
Depression can often manifest itself in many ways – you may see your child eating junk food often or skipping meals or not eating. It is important that children and young people eat a balanced diet and drink enough water to help them stay mentally alert. Leaving the training to eat food also forces them to actually rest for an hour or more!
Healthy habits
The amount of sleep your child gets will affect their mental health and ability to learn and retain information. If your child isn’t sleeping well, see if there are any changes you can make to his routine to help him relax. This can include taking a bath, reading, no phone in the bedroom, meditating or going for a walk.
Find out if they need more help
If your child doesn’t want to talk to you, try to help him find a trusted friend or parent to look up to. Make sure your child knows they can access support from staff and peers online. If you are concerned about your child, call us GP seek additional support.
For free and confidential advice, visit Action for Children’s parents.actionforchildren.org.uk
Action for Children protects and supports vulnerable children and young people by providing care and emotional support, ensuring their voices are heard and empowering bring eternal blessings to their lives. With 447 services across the UK, in schools and online, in 2021/22 we helped 671,275 children, young people and families. actionforchildren.org.uk
For parenting
Parent Talk is a free primary care service providing advice, support and reassurance to parents and carers of children aged 0-19 (or 25 if multiple) your child needs more). Parents and caregivers can access 1-on-1 advice from parenting coaches – trained family support workers – as well as supportive articles and advice across a range of parenting issues. normally. Pare-talk.org.uk
[1] Entries for GCSE, AS and A levels: summer 2022 exam format – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
