With fewer exams in primary school now, you may worry that your kid won’t have enough practice for these big tests. Sasha Gonzales asks the experts for their top tips for dealing with exam anxiety and other common issues.
How can you motivate your child to revise for exams without dangling a reward? What if he has trouble focusing, or tends to leave revision to the last minute?
These concerns are even more pressing now that there are fewer exams for primary school kids – in fact, children in Primary 1 and 2 now have no exams or graded assessments.
Here, education experts help you navigate through the most common exam issues Singapore kids face.
“How do I make sure my child doesn’t wait until the eleventh hour before revising for an exam?”
It’s important to give your child responsibility when it comes to preparing for an exam, says Gemma Church, head of Young Learners at the British Council. “The most successful students are those who take ownership of their learning. This doesn’t mean leaving your child to his own device, but rather, helping him identify specific goals and prioritise what needs to be done to achieve them.”
Work with your kid to create a study plan. After setting goals and identifying priorities, help him draw up a timeline, working backwards from the exam dates.
Gemma says to start this well in advance so your child has plenty of time and doesn’t feel like he has to cram all his revision in at the last minute.
Be sure to schedule “down time”, too, like playing sports, listening to music and hanging out with friends, as these can serve as vital motivators during the exam period.
“Remember to involve your child in this throughout,” Gemma adds. “After all, it’s his time and without his effort, the schedule is not going to work.”
“My child gets easily distracted while revising. How do I help him be more focused?”
Today, most distractions come from online sources and mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.
This story is from the March - April 2019 edition of Young Parents Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March - April 2019 edition of Young Parents Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Everything You Need To Know About Direct School Admission
If your kid is good at sports, music or has other talents, the DSA programme may be his key to getting into an elite secondary school or specialised school. Here’s what you should know about the process.
What Is The Right CCA For Your Primary School Kid?
Co-curricular activities (CCAs) aren’t just frivolous frills. They teach kids important life skills that can’t be found in a classroom lesson. EVELINE GAN finds out how to select the right one for your child.
Why You Shouldn't Let PSLE Stress Take Over Your Kid's Life
PSLE preparations start in Primary 5, which means a high-pressure two years for your family. Here's how to support your child so they can do their best.
Should Your Kid Skip A Vaccine Shot?
Vaccinations are a rite of passage for every Singaporean child, but what if your kid is sick before an appointment, or misses a booster dose? Find out the answers to these and other pressing questions.
Separation Anxiety, Bullies And Other Preschool Blues
Preschool is rarely a smooth journey for children. Sasha Gonzales asks the experts how to handle the most common dilemmas, from separation anxiety to having trouble making new friends.
Is Your Kid Stressed About Starting School This Year?
School kids in Singapore are more stressed than their peers overseas. If your kid is feeling the pressure, here’s how to find what's triggering his anxiety – and how to help.
Speech Problems In Singapore Kids: When Should You Worry?
How can you help your little one get over his stuttering? Should you worry that your tot doesn’t speak as well or isn’t as talkative as his cousin? Sasha Gonzales polls the experts on the pressing speech and language issues in toddlers and preschoolers here.
The Most Common Learning Difficulties In Singapore Kids
Struggling to read, write or count is a common problem for many children, but how do you know when that struggle is actually a learning difficulty or disability? Sasha Gonzales asked three experts to tell us what signs to look out for and when to know to get help.
Can You Really Un-Spoil Your Child?
Yes, there are ways to turn things around – without losing your temper. Here, the experts share strategies you can use in common bratty situations.
Bottoms Up!
Using cloth nappies helps save the Earth – and your wallet, too, say these mums who choose not to put their babies in disposable diapers.
