How to support your child in their GCSEs

Exam periods can be extremely stressful for children, from preparing to revise and managing the various exams can be overwhelming. There are many easy ways in which a parent can support their child during their GCSEs from providing online resources, ensuring they take regular breaks, as well as being mindful of your child’s mental health and stress levels. Here is a useful guide to how you as a parent can support your child in their GCSEs.

Use our list of online resources for independent study

A way in which you can help to support your child while they go through the GCSE process is to provide them with as many resources as possible. Firstly you can speak to your child’s teacher to see if they have any specific books or resources they recommend. Additionally, we have an extensive blog on various online resources you can give to your child to help them with their independent study.

How to help your child revise

One of the ways you can help support your child in their GCSEs is to help your child revise. There are many different ways to revise and not one way suits all. Here are some ways you can get involved with your child’s revision.

Flash cards

Flash cards help your child with their recall of information. You can use flash cards to help your child revise for each subject, or use flash cards in a quick fire process where time is of the essence. Or simply use flash cards to start a conversation about the topic or question. Another great tool is to have your child teach you. Sharing knowledge and being able to teach someone else a topic or subject is a great way to deepen the understanding of that subject; as well as help improve memory and communication skills.

Quizzes

Quizzes are a fun way to get involved with your child’s revision prep. You can get the whole family involved and make it a full evening of quiz questions related to your child’s GCSE subjects. There are many studies which prove the retention of information is greater when having fun. A quiz is the perfect solution to bring in the fun while still helping your child revise for their exams.

Additional support for your child during their GCSEs

Beyond these ways you can help support your child with revising for their GCSE exams. There are many other things you can do as a parent to help support your child in their GCSEs.

Help them take a break

GCSEs can be a stressful time for your child; it can be easy for them to focus on revising and do nothing else but revise. Be their guide and help them take breaks. This can be in the form of helping create a schedule they can follow, or you can take them outside for a walk or fresh air. Taking a break during periods of heavy revision can help your child retain the information they have learned as well as provide a moment of rest for your child. Being over tired during exam periods can end up having negative results.

Help them stay hydrated

Make sure your child is eating and drinking right. Fatigue can come on in many ways and without the right amount of nutrition and water it can cause various problems such as headaches and lack of energy.

Listen when they need to talk

Sometimes during the stress of exam preparation your child may just need to talk. Be there to listen, and if it makes sense to offer advice. Not everything your child needs to talk about needs a response, sometimes being able to open up and express those emotions and stresses can be enough to lighten the load. Finally and most importantly, remember to remind your child that they are not the result of their exam. They are more than a number, and while GCSEs are used in many ways; they do not grade you as a person. Remind them of all the amazing things they can do. Remind them that experiences and life do not have an exam result. At Heathfield Knoll, not only do we focus on individual academic success but also offer high-quality pastoral care. Our ethos is simple; Erich. Challenge. Prepare. Enriching our pupils with a broad and inclusive curriculum. Challenging them to find their own path and nurture their curiosity. And preparing them for their bright future by creating resilient learners. For information on our admissions process contact our office today.

1st June 2023

Education

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