How to help children before competitive exams

One of the defining responsibilities of parents is to enable their children to realise their potential. Both students and their families are anxious in the days leading up to examinations.

Parents are concerned about their children's academic achievement, the amount of time they spend studying, and the degree to which success or failure may influence their children's future. At the same time, parents play the most important role in assisting children in dealing with examination stress.

A parent should ideally serve as a facilitator for their child's success, inspiring and helping them ease the tension when needed.

The following are some methods that parents may adopt to proactively support their child's academic life and help them prepare for tests better:

Although well-timed motivation and encouragement to perform well in the exam is beneficial, pressuring youngsters to study “more” or “better” is counterproductive. Exam anxiety is exacerbated by undue parental pressure.

Pressuring your children to achieve exceptional grades all the time may cause emotional pain. Maintain a cool and controlled demeanour as a parent, and emphasise the importance of studying for them to attain their future objectives. If they are unable to concentrate and study, gently question as to why they are unable to do so and assist them in overcoming distractions and developing concentration.

Children, in many circumstances, do not communicate their worry to others and keep it to themselves. Recognise symptoms of discomfort and spend extra time with them to have a better understanding of their state of mind.

Help children in developing a plan to finish their syllabus. If one approach does not work, try another. Do not force the kids to follow an unfavourable or unduly taxing regimen.

Ensure that your child maintains a healthy balance between their schooling and recreational activities. Help them in getting enough rest before they begin studying for their next exam. Encourage them to avoid late-night study sessions, but if they believe that's when they'll learn the most, go ahead and let them.

Every student is distracted in some manner; all you have to do is figure out what is interfering with your child's education and solve it effectively.

Post exam, listen to your child's work and let them discuss it without passing any judgments. Avoid being pedantic in pointing out errors.

Ensure that your child maintains contact with his or her peers and relatives. Social isolation can be detrimental to children.

As a parent, it is crucial to help children build a foundation of self-motivation and self-reliance so that they can withstand greater challenges at different stages of life.

(The author is the founder of a network of coaching centres)