Parents Information Evening Managing stress & Coping with exam pressure Helen Jacquet, Head of House & Stéphanie Lefort, Head of Training School Julie Adcock, Learning Community Tutor

AIM To equip you as a parent with strategies to deal with exam stress.

Big picture Introduction: How does stress affect the brain’s functions? 1. Dealing with stress How can you counteract it? (de-stress & brain breaks) 2. Preventing stress “I can” Change working environment to reduce stress Create less stress in your child’s life (work life balance) In conclusion

How does stress affect the brain’s functions? StressCortisol Hippocampus is impaired Inability to access short term memory.

Dealing with stress

How can you counteract it? De-stress techniques Concentration meditation Positive visualisation Tips: regular breaks, exercise, brain breaks

Brain breaks Why use them? Thumbs Ear and nose Lazy eights

Preventing stress

“If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right.” Henry Ford

Turning negative attitudes around Negative “Why do I have to do this? It’s boring!” “I don’t know how to do this” “I am never going to get my predicted grade”. Positive “How can I make the work more interesting?” “Where can I get some help from?” “Am I trying my best?”

Creating the optimum environment Change the working environment to reduce stress –Light levels –Space –Tidy –Nutrition –Equipment –Recognise and work with appropriate learning style –Music, appropriately

Create less stress in your child’s life Work life balance Exercise Job Hobbies / School activities, commitments Social life

In conclusion The way your child revises could be very different to your preferred way A personalised and varied approach to revision will be more efficient. A positive frame of mind (both when revising and during exams) for both you and your child is vital Work-life balance is a key aspect of managing stress and efficient revision Reinforce the personalised learning tips they will be taking away from the revision day. Encouraging your child to use de-stressing techniques can be useful.

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Consider both your attitude to your child’s revision and that of your child. Do they/you know how to de-stress? Do they/you know how to approach their revision in the correct frame of mind? Do they/you have enough time to relax? Do they/you recognise the value of physical exercise? Are they/you doing too much (job/ hobbies)?

Stress factors from… selves Parents Teachers Exams peers

Why as a parent do I need to know about managing stress? About you Confronted with anger, boys who are already stressed, will become more stressed, girls will become emotional. Mara Mather, a cognitive psychologist at the University of Southern California Adults response to exam and their child’s stress contributes to increasing or decreasing stress. About your child

The Brain and Learning Reptilian: fight or flight Limbic: emotions Neo-Cortex: left and right hemispheres and higher level thinking

Big Picture The brain and the brain under stress Creating the optimum environment Developing positive attitudes De-stress techniques & Brain breaks Conclusion