Standardized testing season is upon us and it can be an extremely stressful time for students Luckily, both teachers and parents can help them effectively manage their stress, while still being proactive and keeping their performance high.
No one knows the stress that kids face better than teachers. Third grade teacher, Kerry Shanahan, shares tips for keeping your kids stress-free in the classroom and at home, especially during testing season. Tips include:
- Remember to breathe! It is so important to be calm during exams. Kerry often reminds her kids who appear distressed or distracted to put their pencils down, close their eyes and a take a few deep breaths. Her class practices breathing techniques throughout the year, but it’s always good to give them a little reminder.
- Trust yourself: There’s a lot of anxiety around testing for kids from kindergarten age all the way to high school and this can create a stressful environment for students. More often than not, the students know the answer or how to complete the operation BUT, they get caught up in second guessing themselves, last minute. Kerry tries to remind her students to “trust themselves” when it doubt as a form of reassurance. “You have practiced all year/quarter/week for this moment – you can do it! You are more prepared for the test than you think!”
- Have ‘brain break’ time. Most exams allow for a built-in break for students. Kids are very used to and constantly excited for brain breaks because that means we get to go check out GoNoodle!* It gives the kids a chance to get up, move, use their voices and de-stress. It is the PERFECT way to get them ready for the next thing!
- Go to your ‘happy place’. Everyone has a favorite activity, location, or subject in the classroom. When you are stuck on something and need a quick mental break, go there! It could mean imagining yourself reading at the rug, dancing to GoNoodle, or running during hide and seek on the playground – just go there!
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