To help your child become an autonomous and resilient learner:
Set the tone for a successful exam period by creating a calm and positive atmosphere at home.
With exams about to begin, it’s time to take some tips from Hendrie Weisinger and J.P. Pawliw-Fry and their book Performing Under Pressure: The Science of Doing Your Best When It Matters Most.
The book draws on research from more than 12,000 people and features the latest research from neuroscience and from the frontline experiences of Fortune 500 employees, Navy SEALS, and elite athletes. It offers 22 strategies that each of us can use to reduce feelings of pressure and excel in our personal and professional lives.
Pressure is what you experience when you believe that you have just one chance to succeed at a specific task – in other words, what you might feel when you are writing an end-of-year exam! It can create feelings of anxiety and hopelessness and can greatly reduce performance.
Happily, Weisinger and Pawliw-Fry make one thing very clear: No one actually thrives under pressure, but we can succeed if we learn how to manage it.
As a parent, you have the power to set a healthy tone for the exam period. As difficult as it may be, instead of hovering and passing on your anxiety to your child, try to be calm and positive and let your child know that you are there if he needs any help. You can also help your child by creating a calming pre-exam routine, which might include listening to a favourite song, doing some jumping jacks, and saying a positive affirmation.