January 25, 2017 at 2:38 pm

Now is the time of the year each child and their parents would be burning the midnight oil to see that the final exams of the year and the prefinal’s which are fast approaching and finishing within the next two months have to be written well by the children and that they are going to get the best marks for the efforts which they have put in for the whole year. For every child as per his or her age whichever class they are studying this is like the IAS or Phd. of their life for their age.

Each child is unique and no doubt the education system on the whole, that is the material which they study, the kind of pattern which is set is very good. But children are unable to assimilate all they have studied for the whole year and tend to forget the lessons learnt in detail once the exams are over. This is due to the fact that there is too much of information available and too many gadgets which act as distractions to the child.

When they start to study the child gets distracted due to these and focus shifts from the studies to the place where the distraction is taking place. This may be from a mixer grinder which is being run in the house, television being viewed by others in the family, music being played in the house or in the neighborhood or the child addiction to online games, relatives dropping by and staying in the house and last but not the least the child’s imagination as the book would be in front of the child but the imagination of a Spider Man or something which the child is more interested in takes over.

How do we help the child and ourselves? Here are a list of 10 things which may help parents and the children in the process. Hope readers will find the information useful and share the same with other parents for whom it may help.

1) See that the child gets proper food at specific times and more nutrients and other supplements to the body as the mind is working more and taking loads of data which has to be comprehended and written as a meaningful information by the child in the exam.

2) Sleep is a very important issue all through the year but more so during this time. Set a specific time and routine for the child to follow and see the the child gets adequate sleep during weekends to offset the sleep lost during weekdays and to over come the fatigue and build immunity and alertness in the child.

3) See that the child plays some mind diversion games every hour or two for a period of five to ten minutes as this helps the child to sustain the mental energy and improve the focus in the study. These short breaks can work wonders in the child’s mind and increase their capacity to take more information easily. It is a healthy diversion and takes care of fatigue.

4) Games like Sudoko, Rubic cube, five minute online game if the child is addicted to or very used to it, viewing television especially wildlife channels or reading articles in newspapers and magazines can give the healthy break. This should not exceed ten minutes.

5) Going out for a walk or to the shop works as a outing and freshens the mind and provides the break required too, it clears the clutter from the mind.

6) Make sure the child studies the answer two times and tries to tell the same without seeing the third time. They will commit errors and these are the same errors which they keep repeating again and again tell them to mark the same in the book. As the next time they tell that answer they will remember the mistakes they committed and wont do the same in the exam. Tell them it is better to fail a thousand time here when practicing than failing in the exam.

7) Make sure you communicate with them and ask their problems and difficulties and suggest them ideas of how they can overcome them. If you work and come late to the house make sure you ask them the next day morning or at least during the weekend. This will release pressure from their mind. And they will be able to set their minds in the right direction and refocus.

8) Take small tests for them for chapters  they have finished. Ask questions randomly and see if they are able to answer fluently. If mistakes happen tell them to practice the same again.

9) When learning answers tell them to search key words and build the answer around them. One should also remember the starting words of the sentence. If one remembers the key words and the question they are bound they are bound to tell the answer correctly. If they find that they are forgetting some part of the answer but remember the subsequent part tell them to leave the space and complete the answer. In the course of the exam they will remember and recollect the same when writing some other  answer. Our mind tends to work that way and doing this will save time and you will not get stuck and waste time thinking the answer. Teach them time management skills as they should finish the exams at least fifteen minutes before and recheck if everything is written correctly.

10) Do not scold them or berate them for any reason it tends to lower their self esteem, be constructive, see for some other solutions if one thing does not work out. Do not put them down or keep repeating about their faults in front them again. Train them to take each subject as a game or a match and tell them they have to win each match to reach and win the finals. Do not pressurize them for grades or compare them with other children or abuse them. Childhood is a sensitive age and exam time is a stressful time for all and especially the child as the spotlight is on them and their performance.

Be positive and constructive in your criticism point out the good things and tell them ways how they can reduce or correct their mistakes and improve themselves. Always be approachable so that the child feels comfortable to come to you for whatever the reason may be. We all have had our childhood and know the problems today things are complicated and more difficult for the children so understand and help them to the best and leave the rest to them and to God. That is the best we can do.

January 25, 2017 at 3:28 pm

wow this os really nice but I think the media is in a way a seatback yes its provides hi good info for assignment to students and good source of research.Children should be encourage to initiate the brain exercise to thing and create so as to be more exposed and be more independent knowledge wise.

A situation where we all depend on the internet to get information without giving back is not helping for any good students or child.

Like I always like saying I dont usually dwell on much talk but facts,what about the problem of examination malpractice here it has really killed the weak mind and must be stop if we must to produce good community assets.

How do we stop that
1)Teach the child to understand and not basically for exams

2)Use Establish a cordial relationship with your children in this way children tend to get closer to you and feel free of asking questions.

4)Never support malpractice no matter the gain orprofits you as an individual or group will make it doesn’t help in producing future leaders.

This is how far I can contribute I hope it’s helps.

January 25, 2017 at 3:47 pm

Thank you for adding value for the article with your inputs. Agree with you there are a lot of defects which have to be removed from the system of education in India. All the systems are well placed the only problem comes in the implementation and theory should be blended with practice so that results are visible and not limited to bookish knowledge. Children also have to be taught since childhood not to indulge in malpractice as it is fooling oneself. Once this is clear in their mind we will find improved results and have better human resources in the future generation. Growing up as it is a continuous process children have to be guided at each and every stage of their lives so that they may turn out to be better citizens.

February 6, 2017 at 3:06 pm

Hope this message reaches to all the parents who are struggling with their children to see that they clear their exams with full dedication and effort and in flying colors. Thus reaching the next stage in their life in the journey ahead. Take exams as a stepping stones for success and not as a torture that one has to endure. The looks on  the faces of children I teach tell the stress with they go through. My best wishes to all parents and children for achieving success.

February 6, 2017 at 3:54 pm

Indeed as parents of growing children, we should be supportive of our children especially when it comes to their education.

Though, we are just there to guide them in preparing them for their exams. Indeed, they should be well fed and made to have complete meal. Most of all, we should build their confidence, by praying with them at night and even upon waking up to be confident of what they have studied for the exams.

February 6, 2017 at 9:22 pm

Agree with you food plays an important role in the nourishment required for children during exam time. Lots of calories are burnt due to stress and many of the chemicals, minerals and vitamins which are essential for the mind get depleted and need to be built up with intake of food which is healthy and recharges the body with such minerals vitamins etc.

Regarding the confidence part the children must be inculcated a sense of confidence from the beginning. They should know that whatever the results the parents are with them and there should not be any undue pressure to perform which acts as a negative in stressful times. Providing the ideal atmosphere and allowing them with a level playing field will work wonders.