3 Crucial Points in Exam Preparation

Exams - the only time when even cleaning your room becomes attractive.Home feels more like a war zone and the closest of families are driven to despair. The good news is, it does not need to be traumatic at all. Here are a few tips to help keep your sanity and your relationship with your child intact.

My advice to parents is to keep the 3 Ps in mind as exam time approaches

* Prepare

* Don't Procrastinate

* Practice

In today's article, I will focus on the first area - Preparing for Exams.

Preparing for Exams

There are 3 major factors to consider in preparation.

* Mind

* Body

* Environment

1. Mind

We all know that our brain needs to be engaged if learning is to take place. Dr Caroline Leaf, a world renowned cognitive neuroscientist, author and international speaker, maintains that our mind and our brain are two separate entities, and that our mind actually controls our brain. The significance of this is that we come to understand the importance of keeping a positive frame of mind.

Very simply put, consider two key areas in our brain - the amygdala and the pre-frontal cortex. The amygdala - one of the more primitive, aggressive parts of our brain is considered the "fight or flight" centre, while the more "mild-mannered" pre-frontal cortex is responsible for executive functioning, which includes reasoning, problem solving and thoughtful decision making.

Picture the scene; it's been a long day and you're trying to get dinner cooked before getting the kids bathed and to bed, but in the thick of it all, you're helping a tired, hungry and possibly beligerent child study for upcoming exams.You're tired and irritable and your child seems more uncooperative than normal. The stress and anxiety immediately triggers a response from the amygdala - "fight or flight". The pre-frontal cortex shuts down temporarily and a temper tantrum ensues. At best, the situation ends in tears and no learning can possibly take place - no matter how hard you yell! In this instance, the frame of mind activates a specific area of the brain (the amygdala), hindering learning. On the other hand, if there is peace of mind and a sense of security and comfort, the pre-frontal cortex is free to assimilate information, reason and problem solve,which means that learning can take place.

2. Body

It is more important than ever to ensure that your child is eating nutritious meals, getting enough exercise and sleep.

Good food not only feeds the body, keeping your child strong and healthy without compromising their immune system with the added stress, but it also feeds their brain. Many mothers have experienced the dubious delights of a "hangry" child, and it stands to reason in this frame of mind, it is very unlikely for the pre-frontal cortexto be engaged - the amygdala is a far more likely option.

Young children need to exercise in order to rid themselves of pent up energy and prevent frustration - both states of mind which are not conducive to learning. The increase of oxygen to the

brain further enhances brain function. Don't skip school training sessions to get more learning done - it is likely to be counterproductive.

Tired children are cranky and irritable. Sleep is not only important for development of the brain, but also for the brain's day-to-day functioning. Lack of sleep affects our frame of mind and we find that adults and children alike, find it hard to concentrate, remember things and tend to make silly or careless mistakes. It is recomended that primary school children get least 10-12 hours of sleep a night. Establish a bedtime routine and try to make this time pleasurable. Let your child have a relaxing bath, read together and make this quality time. Don't allow digital devices during your bedtime routine - you want your child to rest and relax.

3. Environment

The space in which your child studies is an important part of the preparation process. Every child is different and you may find that the traditional idea of sitting in a silent stark room, on an upright chair at a desk, is not necessarily the optimum learning environment for your child.

The learning environment must be

* an uncluttered space,where unecessary distractions are kept to a minimum.

* equipped with notebooks, paper and stationery.

* an attractive space.

These spaces. tend to be personal, depending on the type of learner you have. Some will enjoy gym balls to sit on rather than chairs, as they offer a sense of movement, others might prefer the comfort of a bean bag and a lap desk, while others might prefer sitting at the kitchen counter close to you as they work.

Regardless of personal preferences, the learning space must be one in which your child feels safe and comfortable in order to maximise learning potential.

REMEMBER - A happy mind, is a happy brain!