As the exam time approaches, children react differently.

Some remain relaxed, while others experience anxiety or nervousness.

As parents, it's important to help your child manage their anxiety. If this anxiety doesn't subside, it's likely that your child won't be able to study or effectively tackle the exam questions. This is because anxiety is tied to emotions that can interfere with, or even block, access to the brain's learning centers.

It's also common for parents to feel anxious before their child’s exam day. You may fear that your child won’t perform well. In such cases, it's important to quickly find ways to manage your own anxiety. After all, a parent's anxiety can negatively affect the child, possibly making the child, who was calm earlier, worry about their own abilities.

A parent's anxiety can prevent the child from staying calm. Yet, calmness is crucial for the child to remember what they've studied or practiced and to concentrate during the exam. Here are five ways you can try to reduce anxiety before your child faces their exam!

1. Share Your Feelings

Try to express your feelings to someone you trust. But don’t confide in other parents who are also anxious or panicking. It might only make you more worried. Choose someone who can help calm you down, such as your husband, who might handle the situation more calmly.

2. Release the Anxious Energy

If your anxiety is overwhelming, try releasing that negative energy. According to Nina, you can do this by running, shouting, or punching and slamming a pillow to the floor. Though it seems trivial, it can really help you calm down. Do it in your room or car so your child doesn’t see it.

3. Relaxation

Once you've released your anxious energy, try to breathe calmly. Deep breathing is one of the simplest relaxation techniques to manage stress. Sit comfortably, either on the floor or a chair, and relax your shoulders and neck. Then, take a deep breath through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth.

Repeat several times, focusing on your breath and the sound it makes. You can also count in your head while exhaling, for example, counting from 1 to 3 or 4. The key is to avoid rushing. Once you're accustomed to this, you can also try yoga or meditation to help calm yourself.

4. Smile or Laugh

You can reduce anxiety by doing something that makes you smile or laugh. For instance, listen to your favorite songs, watch a comedy series that always cracks you up, or chat with a friend from school who always has funny conversations. Just remember, don’t discuss your child’s exam.

5. Trust Your Child’s Abilities

Look at a photo of your child when they were a baby. Remember how, since they were born, you’ve admired and believed in their ability to accomplish great things, and that they can be anything they want to be. Exams are important, and your child needs to understand this, but believe in them.

Trust that they have done their best to prepare for this exam. Pray that they have the smoothest time when facing the test the next day.

Also, remember, Moms, the result of the exam is not the ultimate goal of studying, and school exams are not the only way to measure a child’s intelligence. So, reduce your anxiety and trust that your little one can handle the exam just fine!

Exam Stress Tips for Parents | GCSE Stress | Supporting your Child | Protecting Mental Health

Video by Bridge the Gap Child Mental Health