5 Ways to Help Your Child During School Testing

State testing is coming up. Depending on your child’s grade level, there can be several in a short period. It may cause some nervousness when your child has a longer test soon. Here are some ways to support them. Of course, a listening ear may be all your child needs. Thank you for supporting your children throughout the year, especially during the fast-paced final quarter.

Have them review their subject matters every afternoon/evening. Possibly 15 minutes.

See if your child can tackle a quick review a few weeks before the state tests. Try a different subject matter Monday through Thursday, and take a long weekend off. It can be 15 minutes max. It can be reading a book for school, checking out review games, or quick flashcards. Have your child teach you if it is a subject you are not well-versed in. It can help build confidence for your youth, and your questions can spark curiosity.

Give them breaks, especially outdoors.

There is time for studying. However, kids need to be kids. Make sure you break it up with fun; outdoor activities can be very beneficial. Academics are crucial, but well-rounded child needs to have their interests invested in as well.

Let your child celebrate afterward.

Once they are done with their test, have a celebration afterward. Can it be ice cream? Sure! Watching their favorite movie as a family? Can it be some time with video games? It can; you do want their input, after all. See if it can be something where you are visible, along with them, to show that they should be proud of their efforts and that you are there for your children.

Double-check your child has breakfast and also stays hydrated on test day. 

The mornings can be rough between the snooze buttons and racing to get everyone out the door on time. Try to get them to grab a quick breakfast beforehand. If not, double-check that your child can get breakfast at school before the tests. Have them fill up a water bottle as well. Having food and staying hydrated during the test will help their performance and make them feel better during the day.

Understand a grade is not the end all be all.

If you looked at my standardized test grades or SAT score, it would not match my GPA. I was not the strongest test taker. I did alright, but I would have performed better if I could showcase my knowledge in another way. That is crucial to teach your children as well: try your best, but one score does not reflect who you are. Unfortunately, our world places too much value on state tests but does not undervalue all the growth your children did during the school year. If you want to know how to contact and inform the people making state testing decisions, check out my other blog post here.

Remember, your child trying their best is crucial. Their growth and ability to apply their new knowledge will surpass the test day.