PSLE and ‘O’ levels are coming again. As parents, we might be even more anxious than our children when they are about to take a major examination.
Here are some friendly reminders on what NOT to do before your child’s big day!
- NO last-minute work
Do not force your child to complete more work days before the examination. This might stress him out even more and cause him to underperform during the examination. Instead, give him an emotional boost — tell him you believe in his hard work and he will be able to conquer the paper!
- NO watching over him 24/7
Do not take control of your child’s break times and study sessions. Instead, just observe him from time to time. If he is distracted, remind him to focus and that the examination is coming soon. Do not be over-attentive to him.
- NO looking worried all the time
Do not express anxiety in front of your child. Especially during examination season, he might be extra sensitive to your expressions and actions. If he is able to tell that you are worried, he might panic and be even more stressed out. Avoid saying things like ‘This examination is going to determine your future’ and ‘You must do well. If not, you will not survive next time!’.
- NO introducing new brain foods
As parents, we have our child’s best interests in mind. Boiling herbal soups or drinks might help boost our child’s concentration skills. However, do not introduce new brain foods to your child as he might have an upset stomach or get sick right before his examinations.
- NO quizzing him consistently
If he is unable to answer your quiz questions, he might panic and think that there’s more to study. Let your child relax and rest before the examinations.
It is natural for parents to hope that their children will do well in their examinations. However, it is important not to stress them out and to ensure that they are in prime condition both physically and mentally so that they can perform well. After all, our children should be the priority, and not the examinations.
