You’ve Got This!

There are many opinions out there about standardized testing. Regardless of what your personal feelings on high-stakes testing are, you can still help minimize your child’s feelings of anxiety by helping them feel supported and prepared before they sit down for a test.

But remember: “Helping” your child select answers on any test or homework assignment is NOT helping them!

 

There are many ways to help your child prepare for success ahead of a standardized testing day at school. In the current pandemic, there may be students taking NWEA MAP tests at home. It is CRITICAL to remember that you, as their parent or caregiver, CANNOT help your student select answers on a test (standardized or otherwise).

With that being said, there are still a number of ways that you can support your child before and after taking a standardized test:

 

Prioritize attendance and homework

Tests are ultimately intended to serve as instructional feedback and to measure how well students have learned the material being taught in class. We recommend setting aside dedicated homework time each night to make sure that your child is completing their assignments consistently throughout the year.

It also helps to establish attendance as a main priority during the school year. Frequent absences, even in elementary school, can make your child fall behind in reading and math, which can impact their performance on standardized tests. A student who misses 10% of the school year (around 18 days) is considered “chronically absent.” Chronically absent students may earn lower test scores and display poor attendance and retention in later grades. Every missed day of school is a missed opportunity to learn. 

 

Keep testing in perspective

Avoid putting too much emphasis on your child’s test scores—doing so can make your child feel pressure that will ultimately only affect his or her performance negatively. It’s also important to not be upset by a single test score. Low test scores can occur for any number of reasons; it may have just been an off day for your child.

 

Communicate with your child’s teacher

Make a point of meeting or talking with your child’s teacher on an ongoing basis to understand what your child is working on, what he or she will be tested on, and the areas that he or she is excelling and struggling in. Your child’s teacher is also a great resource for test-preparation activities or strategies you can use with your child at home. Plus, they can keep you up to date on group study sessions or other opportunities for additional review that your child may benefit from.

If you believe that your child’s difficulty with standardized tests may be the symptom of a problem such as a language or learning difficulty, speak with your child’s teacher to learn if your child qualifies for any assessment accommodations.

 

Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast

In the weeks leading up to the test, it is important for students to have adequate sleep (eight hours is recommended), eat balanced meals, drink plenty of water, and get exercise. Foods high in protein, and water help to stimulate the brain. Exercise, such as stretching and walking, helps to supply the brain with oxygen. Eating a healthy breakfast before school, particularly on the day of the test, gives the body the fuel it needs to maintain long periods of concentration.

Make sure your child is prepared

Remain positive

What about the results?

After testing day has come and gone, talk with your child about his or her results and how he or she felt about the test. By discussing his or her answers, thought processes, and feelings, you can gain further insight into what he or she is struggling with and excelling at and then help him or her better prepare next time. Talking about testing can also help your child process the experience and overcome any anxiety that he or she might have had.

 

On a Daily Basis

There are a number of ways that you can maximize your child’s learning capabilities throughout the school year, which can lead to confident test-taking. Some of these include:

• Assisting your child with homework and ensuring that your child is completing all homework assignments
• Helping her to develop good study habits, thinking skills, and a positive attitude towards education from an early age
• Ensuring that your child has good attendance at school
• Staying in communication with your child’s teacher
• Encouraging your child to read as much as possible, and to increase her vocabulary – even reading magazines, newspapers, and comic books regularly will help improve her reading skills
• Looking for educational games and programs that engage your child
• Helping your child learn how to follow directions carefully

Finally, remember that standardized tests and grading systems are not perfect; each format has its own limitations. As you help your child do her best on the tests she takes and in all of her schoolwork, also remind her that testing is just one part of her education. With your support and involvement, she will be well on her way to her own bright future.

Happy Testing!