With the advent of standardized testing in the education community, more children than ever before are suffering from test taking anxiety. There are a few measures you can take to reduce child anxiety while test taking.
For parents and teachers alike, prepare the children for the test beforehand. This includes informing the children that a test will be taken in the near future. Often, if children know a test is approaching, they are better able to manage the anxiety. Unexpected and surprise testing causes a greater amount of stress in children than a test that is planned.
Encouragement should not be understated in regards to children, anxiety and test taking. Often times, a simple kind word or statement of validation is enough to ease the fears of children who suffer from test taking anxiety. By parents and teachers taking the time to calm their worries with a kind word, children will be calm and collected when the time to take the test arrives. If they know that their parents and teachers believe in them, then they are more likely to do well.
By following these simple and easy steps in handling tests, children and the anxiety it produces, educators and parents alike are taking a proactive role in diminishing test anxiety.