Prepare your child for periodic tests

Help alleviate childhood stress by carefully preparing your child for his or her periodic exams. Here’s how:

Make sure that your child knows the content of the exam. Use the syllabi that your child receives at the beginning of the quarter. Compare the items in the syllabi with those in his or her actual homeworks, seatworks, book coverages, and quizzes since some items in the syllabi may or may not be actually covered in class. As you do so, take note of your child’s problem areas. You can make mock exams or reviewers so that your child can focus on these first. He or she may then review the easier topics by himself or herself.

Talk with your child. At least a month to two weeks before the exam. He or she might need extra help. Consider hiring a tutor if needed so that your child won’t have to cram review the night before the tests.

Make sure your child is ready on the day of the tests. The reviews week or weeks before the actual exam dates will be beneficial to your child so that he or she can get a good night’s sleep. A rested mind and body will help your child focus and do his/her best. Make sure that he or she has a hearty and healthy breakfast on the exam day. But do not let your child over-eat. Too much food can make your child sleepy, and of course, we wouldn’t want this.

Tell your child that his or her best efforts are needed, but that the score is not important. Make sure that he or she understands that these tests are just ways to gauge what he or she has learned for the whole quarter. Be sure to ease the pressure off your child. He or she should be able to treat each test as any simple activity- fun and educational.