Test Anxiety in Primary School Children: How Parents Can Help at Home
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As a primary school teacher with over 20 years of classroom experience, I can say this with confidence: many children know more than they are able to show during a test.
One of the biggest reasons is test anxiety.
Parents often say:
“She knows the work but freezes in tests.”
“He studies at home, but the results don’t reflect it.”
“My child cries or complains of feeling sick on test days.”
It may not be that the child is lazy or lacks ability but that they may be anxious. Anxious children display signs of anxiety because they feel overwhelmed by pressure.
So, let’s delve deeper.
What Is Test Anxiety?
Test anxiety is a feeling of fear, worry, or nervousness that happens before or during a test.
In primary school children, it can show up in different ways:
Complaining of stomach aches or headaches
Crying or becoming unusually quiet
Rushing through work or leaving answers blank
Forgetting things they knew the night before
Saying things like “I can’t do this” or “I’ll fail”
For young children, tests can feel very final and very personal — as if the paper is judging them, not just their work.
A child in a classroom before test looking quietly concerned.
Why Do Some Children Experience Test Anxiety?
Test anxiety is influenced by several factors which may include:
1. Fear of Failure
Some children believe that doing poorly means they are “not smart”.
2. Pressure (Even When Unintentional)
Comments like “You have to pass” or “This is very important” can increase anxiety, even when said lovingly.
3. Past Experiences
A child who has struggled before may already expect to fail, even after improving.
4. Comparing Themselves to Others
Children notice when classmates finish faster or receive praise.
How Parents Can Help Reduce Test Anxiety
1. Focus on Effort, Not Just Marks
Instead of asking, “What did you get?”, try:
“Did you try your best?”
“Which question felt easiest for you?”
“Which one was tricky?”
This helps children separate self-worth from scores.
2. Practise Calm, Low-Pressure Review
At home:
Short practice sessions work better than long ones
Mix written work with oral questioning
Stop before frustration sets in
Learning should feel safe, not stressful.
3. Teach Simple Calm-Down Strategies
Before tests, help your child practise:
Slow breathing (inhale for 4, exhale for 4)
Stretching hands and shoulders
Positive self-talk like “I can try” or “I know some of this”
These small tools make a big difference in the classroom.
4. Normalise Mistakes
Let children know:
Everyone makes mistakes
Tests show what still needs work
One test does not define intelligence
When mistakes are seen as part of learning, anxiety reduces.
5. Keep Routines Normal on Test Days
Avoid last-minute cramming
Ensure your child eats and rests properly
Speak calmly on test mornings
Children borrow their emotional cues from adults.
What Teachers Hope Parents Understand
As teachers, we are not just assessing answers — we are observing confidence, coping skills, and emotional readiness.
When parents support children emotionally, academic improvement often follows naturally.
In conclusion, let us not look at test anxiety as weakness. It is a signal that a child needs reassurance, structure, and confidence-building.
With the right support at home and school, anxious children can learn to approach tests with calm and belief in themselves.
At Desha Academy, we work intentionally to help children feel safe, supported, and confident in their learning, and not just prepared for tests, but prepared for life.
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