Supporting children through exams - Tips from Georgie May
Exam time can be stressful and nerve wracking for children, filled with pressure and worry. However, there are strategies that you and your child can employ to turn any stress into confidence and focus.
Ollie Coach, Georgie May, talks us through her tips for supporting your children through their school exams.
Healthy habits
Ensure your child gets enough sleep (around 9-12 hours for 6-12 years and 8-10 hours for 13-18 years), eats nutritious meals, stays hydrated and takes regular exercise which is a great stress reliever.
Listen and communicate
Be open and encouraging. Let your child know it’s ok to feel worried, listen patiently and offer reassurance. Children take their lead from parents/care givers, if we present a calm and nurturing attitude, they will feel safe and supported.
Positive reinforcement
Focus on effort and progress, not just results. Celebrate their achievements and offer rewards for completing study goals.
Create a study plan
Work with your child to develop a realistic revision schedule that breaks down work into manageable chunks. Allocating time for specific subjects is useful and will reduce feelings of overwhelm.
Manage expectations
Reassure your child that you’re proud of them no matter what happens. Focus on them doing their best, rather than getting perfect scores.
Breaks are key
Schedule regular breaks in study sessions to avoid burnout. Encourage your child to step away from their books/screen and do some stretches, have a snack, quick walk or have some fresh air.
Relaxation techniques
Deep breathing exercises are great for calming nerves and improving focus. I use these ones regularly with children:
Box breathing
- Breathe in, counting to four slowly.
- Hold your breath for 4 seconds, try to avoid inhaling or exhaling for 4 seconds
- Slowly exhale through your mouth for 4 seconds.
- Repeat steps 1 and 3 until your feel re-centered.
For younger children, they stand and take a deep breathe in as they raise their arms slowly above their head. Then they slowly exhale their breath, taking their arms down at the same time.
Maintaining a Positive Mindset:
- Positive Self-Talk: Encourage your child to use positive affirmations. Help them replace negative thoughts (“I’m going to fail”) with positive ones (“I’m prepared, and I’ll do my best”).
- Keeping Things in Perspective: Remind your child that exams are just one part of their learning journey. Reassure them that their worth is not defined by their scores.
Georgie's sessions encourage children to acknowledge their emotions ( we call them superpowers for younger children), exploring them and whatever issues are going on. By making all the superpowers “parts” of the child, they are able to separate themselves, thank the emotion and reassure them that everything is ok and that they are in charge. This empowers them and shows them they are in control. The techniques used are effective and playful and children gain greater self-awareness and confidence. Supporting parents and sharing methods used in the sessions also support home life.
If your child is suffering with more anxiety than might seem normal, Georgie would love to see how she can help them during this stressful time. Georgie is based in Tunbridge Wells and available throughout the week and weekends. Together, we can help them thrive and not just survive their exams.
If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Georgie on G.may@ollieandhissuperpowers.com or by calling 07808727214.