by Bobby Coles

Created on: February 22, 2012   Last Updated: May 01, 2012

There are many great methods of reducing test stress and anxiety for children. Testing is often viewed as having a negative connotation, but it does not necessarily have to be a notion that is fraught with peril. Tests are a natural part of the academic journey, so children should be taught from a young age how to cope with the stress and anxiety often associated with them.

Test stress and anxiety can be reduced or in some cases eliminated with some problem solving strategies. The keys to helping children cope involve; proper sleep, eating, preparation techniques, keeping calm, practicing, managing your time wisely, exercise, snacking, reading carefully and thoroughly, and moving on quickly when you are faced with uncertainty.

Sleep should never be overlooked in the life of a child. Children need to be properly rested in order for them to perform to the best of their ability. Every person needs to have an established sleep routine that helps them to maintain their bodies. A child that has not had a good night’s sleep prior to taking a test may be hindering their chances of success. Sleep should never be sacrificed, especially when it is on the cusp of an important event. If a child is yawning, or having trouble focusing, the level of stress and anxiety will blossom, which may lead to unsatisfactory results. As well as ensuring that your child has a decent night’s sleep, it is imperative that they nourish themselves in the morning.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is essential to starting the day off right. A child that is stressing about a test needs to have their body performing to maximum capacity. Breakfast is crucial to fuelling the brain for the tasks that will be demanded of it later in the day. Children that have poor nutritional habits tend to have less success academically. Being fed in the morning helps to calm jitters, which lead to test stress and anxiety. This is part of preparing properly for the test.

Preparation techniques are an absolute necessity when it comes to trying to reduce test stress. Time management skills can help the child to be prepared for the test, which may eliminate or assuage some stress and anxiety. To prepare properly for a test, children must be familiarizing themselves with their notes for several days in advance. When a child has mastered the knowledge of the unit of study, they will not be as likely to succumb to the negative repercussions of test stress. Have your child organize their notes efficiently, and

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