Exam fever is upon us! If you have children at school, you will recognise the symptoms. Sleepless nights, fits of irritation followed by cold sweats, a hoarse voice, as you do everything in your power to encourage, motivate and support your child during this period. There is no doubt that school examinations can be a stressful time for the entire family. We want to create an environment in which our children can reach their full potential and realise the responsibility we have in trying to make this period less stressful for them. Accepting that the uniqueness of our child determines their preferred study method can be difficult when that method differs from what we consider to be the best method. Bottom line and non-negotiable should be the message that nothing replaces hard work! So, to help keep you sane during this trying time, we have pulled together a few ideas that you may want to draw on to provide your child with the guidance and support needed to set them up for success.
Have a Study Plan: Develop a timetable and study routine appropriate for your child’s grade and learning style. It is also helpful to assist your child identify their peak learning time.
Have a Balanced Diet: Maintain proper nutrition by feeding your child healthy, nutritious meals and snacks. The brain needs food to function. Avoid too much sugary snacks, as this may give a burst of energy and improve their mood but lead to a sugar crash which will decrease focus and concentration.
Get enough Sleep: Make sure your child gets plenty of rest. Sleep or lack thereof affects cognitive function. Enough sleep improves the ability to think clearly and logically, and assimilates the information learned during the day.
Stay Active: Exercise can significantly reduce the effects of stress and boost brainpower. So, something as simple as a daily short walk, swim, bicycle ride can be helpful.
Schedule Relaxation Time: This may sound counterintuitive, however allowing time for doing something that lets your child to just be, is important. It allows for rejuvenation. So yes, let them watch their favourite programme or listen to their favourite song.
Remember, our learning abilities differ greatly, so provide the support and encouragement and trust that your child will do the rest.