Top tips for parents

• Make sure your child eats and sleeps well in the run up to exams, late night revision never works and a healthy diet can really make you think more clearly. See Food for thought
  
• As each test is finished encourage your child to talk it through. If they've made any mistakes, it doesn't help dwelling on them and there may be ways of ensuring the same mistakes aren't repeated
  
• Don't just buy any old revision books, ask at school what would be most appropriate
  
• The best way to show that you know something is to explain it to someone else. Get your child to teach you what they know!
  
• Say to your child that tests and exams are an opportunity to 'show them what you know.'
  
• Make sure it is understood that you simply want them to do their best and that you expect no more.
  
• Make a special breakfast on the day of the test, run through a list of what is needed for school and plan a treat for teatime
• Plan a special event together to celebrate the end of the tests
  
• Take up any opportunity you can to attend parents' information evenings.
  
• Understand that your child sometimes just needs peace and quiet, and try and provide it.
  
• Make sure you do everything you can to make sure your child does the tests but not the stress. Relaxation exercises
  
• GCSE exam timetables should be displayed in the kitchen where you can all keep track and discuss progress. You might consider doing the same with a revision timetable.
  
• Work with your child at the planning stage if this is possible. Getting revision plans right can certainly help reduce stress
  
• Make sure your child takes breaks when revising – but that the breaks don't take over!
  
• Make sure they drink plenty of water
  
• Make sure that your child isn't just reading and re-reading notes, but is using a variety of ways to revise.
  
• Exercise, even if it's just a stroll outside, is very important to energise their brains, make sure they do some on a regular basis.
  
• Make sure your child has a good studying environment (e.g. no TV and make sure it's not too hot or they'll get sleepy!)
  
• Splash out on things to make revision active and fun like highlighter pens, Post it notes, coloured index cards, blank tapes and sketchbooks.
  
• One of the most important things you can give your child is time. Time to run through some notes with them, test them or sit on a computer with them….if they're comfortable with it.
  
• Give them constant encouragement and reassurance that all the efforts and sacrifices now will result in long term gains
  
• There are lots of useful revision programmes on BBC (Revisewise and Bitesize). Make sure you record them if you can..
  
• Build in little rewards and treats.
  
• Don't be overanxious yourself about test scores, it only adds to the pressure. Instead encourage them every step of the way for everything they have done well. If they feel good about themselves they will perform better. If they fear failure they will perform worse.
  
• More hugging and less tugging, too much pressure can be harmful
  
• You may not do this…..but just in case: Don’t go on about neatness and spelling mistakes. It can create anxiety, and only 5% of marks are given for these areas.
  
• It doesn’t help telling your own horror stories about your own exam nightmares!
  
• Think carefully about the message your child leaves the house with on the day of exams. Make the last thin you say to them encouraging and positive.
  
• Another common cause of anxiety is talking about how well an older brother or sister did when they had exams……….not always a good idea!