Homeschooling students are not used to the rigors of tests that a regular school student goes through. Very often the first standardized test that they attempt can be the cause of a lot of anxiety. The responsibility of making the test fun lies with the parent. There are many ways to take away the anxiety and make it a fun exercise.
[am4show have=’p8;p9;p11;p38;’ guest_error=’Guest error message’ user_error=’User error message’ ]
Treat the test as a game
If your child enjoys puzzles and games make the test appear like a game. Just like the children like asking riddles and coming up with brain teasers make the creation of the test a game. They understand what they have to test and then come up with their own questions to test the concepts. Then let them conduct the test that they have come up with on you. Once the parent answers their questions it is only fair that they answer a question paper that the parents give them.
Don’t time the test the first time round
Give the student an old practice test paper and let him or her answer it in their own time. Allow them to come up with all the answers taking as long as they like. When they are done correct the paper and show them the mistakes that they made. The next day or a couple of days later, give them the same question paper and tell them that it will be a timed test. Give them the allotted time and let them come up with the answers. Since the questions are familiar it will not be as intimidating as doing the test timed the first time. Gradually move on the timed simple tests the first time round.
Keep the environment stress free
Just because they are preparing for a standardized test is no reason why the children can’t have fun. During preparation give them snacks on the table. After preparation time take them out of the house for a trip to the mall. Hey, you can even make them take a break from the studies to do their household chores. Ensure that regular life continues even when the studies get picked up a notch due to the impending test. It will go a long way in keeping the students grounded.
Article Inspiration: About Homeschooling
[/am4show]