Exams are just round the corner. As parents and educators, you may have observed that some children feel irritable, find it difficult to sleep or may have irregular eating patterns. On the other hand, some kids may avoid studies or start procrastinating. Exam time for children can be a cause of concern for parents, educators as well as children. What is it that we can do to manage and deal with these concerns and worries and help our children sail through this time smoothly?
Be aware of your own feelings
We may have our own concerns, worries and feelings about the exams of our children. It is important for us to be aware of these feelings and to manage them in an adaptive manner so that we can be good role models for our children. A calm environment at home helps children cope better with their own worries.
Be a part of your child’s planning
How many of us are a part of our child’s planning for exams? It may be a good idea for parents and children to plan together for the upcoming exams. You can help them by giving important time management tips. Prioritizing and planning can help us reduce the wastage of time. In my earlier post on time management (https://wellnesswise.in/skills-to-acquire-in-2022-time-management/ ), I have shared some tips like consolidating similar tasks together, maintaining schedules and timetables, using weekly, daily logs in your journals. You could also help your child to make a SMART timetable (https://wellnesswise.in/using-smart-timetables-in-your-daily-life/). It is also helpful to follow up on their progress and appreciate and encourage them to achieve their goals. You and your child may mutually decide that you could prepare a quiz or a questionnaire for them which they can attempt at the end of a difficult chapter.
Make children aware of any changes in your schedule- Sometimes children may feel disturbed or upset by events like guests at home or parents going for a social function. Keep your children in the loop and let them know beforehand about these plans and prepare them for it. Having predictability in our own routines and schedules, makes them cope better.
Understand your child’s learning style
(https://wellnesswise.in/whats-your-learning-style/) Knowing your child’s style of learning can help you identify resources that your children can use to learn. This can facilitate the creation of new and innovative methods that can help in creating an interesting learning environment.
Tips for Maintaining Healthy Lifestyle During Exams-
Children may have irregular sleeping and eating patterns during exam days. Taking care of your child’s lifestyle is very important during this time. Taking care of these small things in lifestyle can go a long way.
- It is helpful to take a balanced diet as this gives energy to our body and also helps to concentrate better.
- Balancing food choices over time is what counts.
- Breakfast provides the energy needed through an active morning.
- Children who skip breakfast may have trouble concentrating.
- Foods rich in fats provide more calories rather than good nutrition and could make one feel lethargic.
- Add roughage to their diet – fruits, salads etc. will help them to feel lighter.
- Try to have 4-5 small meals in the whole day rather than having heavy meals
- Also, make sure your children are well hydrated, as they will feel more alert and will be able to concentrate better.
- Adequate sleep of 6-8 hrs makes one feel fresh and helps to recall information better. It’s also good to avoid any stimulating activity before bed time, like watching tv, laptop, phone, arguments or fights.
Share with us some of the things that have helped your children cope better with exams. Wishing Good Luck to the students for their upcoming exams!
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