Chicago, IL (PRWEB) February 13, 2017
While it is common for students to feel butterflies in their stomachs when taking tests, research has found that test anxiety has increased as a result of high-stakes tests, like the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). A U.S. Dept. of Education study found that 61 percent of high school students suffer from test anxiety. More worrisome is that 26% are handicapped by that anxiety, and it can start as young as age seven. A National Louis University (NLU) professor has offered tips for parents to recognize and help children of all ages with test anxiety.
Symptoms of anxiety express physically, behaviorally and cognitively and include dizziness, nausea, fidgeting, faking illness, absence on test day and negative self-statements (e.g. “I’ll never pass this test.”). Most students can overcome test anxiety by simply using good study habits, knowing how to relax during a test and using effective test-taking strategies.
“Some degree of student test anxiety is normal,” said Jennifer Cooper, Ph.D., NCSP and assistant professor in National Louis University’s School Psychology program. “When the anxiety causes impairment and students can’t demonstrate the knowledge they have, it’s time to take a closer look, and potentially seek help from a qualified professional.”
Below are a few of the tips that Cooper, a school psychologist, shared for parents to help recognize and reduce student anxiety when taking tests.
1. Know when your child’s anxiety needs attention. To do this, Cooper suggests maintaining an open line of communication with teachers. Since teachers are in the classroom and observe students taking tests, they often are the first to recognize symptoms of anxiety.
2. Initiate age-appropriate conversations and inquire about children’s feelings. Conversation starters can include: “Are you feeling worried about something?” “How often do you have these feelings of worry?” “I noticed that when you were taking your practice test yesterday, you seemed nervous and distracted. Do you feel that way often?” “When you feel this way, tell me what you are feeling in your body.” For younger students who are not as verbal, parents can share feeling faces as visual helpers for children to identify their feelings.
3. Identify past coping strategies and build on what has worked. “When you feel this way, how have you had success turning things around?”
4. Replace negative thoughts with positive self talk. Encourage the adoption of an upbeat, but realistic attitude: “I prepared carefully for this test. If I do my best, I have a good chance of passing it.”
5. Validate and support their feelings. Let children know that everyone worries to some degree, as a protection and safety mechanism. However, when anxiety goes into overdrive, that is not healthy, and parents are there to support them and get them help.
More tips are available on how parents can help students with severe test anxiety at http://www.nl.edu/testanxiety and NLU professor Jennifer Cooper is available to comment as well.
About National Louis University
Founded in 1886, National Louis is a nonprofit, non-denominational University offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in fields of education, management, human services, counseling, public policy, and others concerned with human and community development. From its inception, National Louis has provided educational access to adult, immigrant and minority populations – a mission it sustains today. National Louis is well-known for an exceptional history in teacher preparation, and continues to be a leader in educating future teachers and community leaders to succeed in urban environments. For more information, visit http://www.nl.edu.