Member-only story

Tame the Test Anxiety Monster: Teaching Children to Overcome Test-Related Stress

Anton Chekhov

·13.8k Followers· Follow

Published in Tame The Test Anxiety Monster (Teaching A Child To)

6 min read

497 View Claps

62 Respond

Save

Listen

Test anxiety is a common problem that can affect children of all ages. It is characterized by feelings of nervousness, worry, and panic that can interfere with a child's ability to perform well on tests. Test anxiety can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Tame the Test Anxiety Monster (Teaching A Child To)

by Katherine Gordy Levine

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1113 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	18 pages

Perfectionism
Fear of failure
Negative past experiences with testing
Lack of confidence in their abilities

Test anxiety can have a significant impact on a child's academic performance. Children who suffer from test anxiety may be unable to focus on their studies, may avoid taking tests altogether, and may experience lower grades. In addition, test anxiety can also lead to physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomachaches, and difficulty sleeping.

The good news is that test anxiety can be overcome. With the right help, children can learn to manage their anxiety and improve their test-taking skills. Here are some tips for parents and educators on how to help children overcome test anxiety:

1. Help children to identify their triggers

The first step in helping children to overcome test anxiety is to help them identify what triggers their anxiety. Once children know what is causing their anxiety, they can begin to develop strategies for coping with it.

Some common triggers of test anxiety include:

The thought of taking a test
Seeing other students who are anxious about the test
Feeling unprepared for the test
Having a history of poor test performance

2. Teach children relaxation techniques

Once children have identified their triggers, they can begin to learn relaxation techniques to help them manage their anxiety. Relaxation techniques can help to calm children down and reduce their feelings of stress and worry.

Some common relaxation techniques include:

Deep breathing exercises
Progressive muscle relaxation
Visualization
Yoga

3. Help children to develop positive study habits

Good study habits can help children to feel more confident and prepared for tests. When children know that they have studied hard, they are less likely to be anxious about taking the test.

Here are some tips for helping children to develop positive study habits:

Create a regular study schedule and stick to it.
Find a quiet place to study where children will not be distracted.
Break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks.
Take breaks every 20-30 minutes to help children stay focused.
Review the material regularly to help children retain the information.

4. Teach children test-taking strategies

In addition to helping children to develop positive study habits, it is also important to teach them test-taking strategies. Test-taking strategies can help children to feel more confident and prepared for the test, and can also help them to improve their scores.

Some common test-taking strategies include:

Read the directions carefully before beginning the test.
Start with the easy questions first to build confidence.
Skip any questions that children are unsure of and come back to them later.
Pace themselves so that they have enough time to answer all of the questions.
Check their answers before submitting the test.

5. Encourage children to talk about their anxiety

It is important for children to be able to talk about their test anxiety. Talking about their anxiety can help them to feel less alone and can also help them to develop coping mechanisms.

Parents and educators can create a safe and supportive environment for children to talk about their test anxiety by:

Listening to children without judgment.
Validating their feelings.
Offering reassurance and support.
Encouraging children to seek professional help if needed.

Professional Help

In some cases, children may need professional help to overcome their test anxiety. A therapist can help children to identify the root of their anxiety and develop coping mechanisms. Therapy can also help children to develop more positive self-talk and to build their confidence in their abilities.

If you are concerned about your child's test anxiety, talk to your child's teacher or school counselor. They can help you to assess your child's anxiety and determine if they need professional help.

Test anxiety is a common problem that can affect children of all ages. However, with the right help, children can learn to manage their anxiety and improve their test-taking skills. By following the tips in this article, you can help your child to overcome test anxiety and achieve their full academic potential.

Tame the Test Anxiety Monster (Teaching A Child To)

by Katherine Gordy Levine

4.6 out of 5