Parents, take note! 5 critical tips for stress management before the LGS

The LGS on June 15 will test students' academic knowledge and their ability to cope with stress. Specialist Psychologist Oğuzhan Gürdoğan states that exam anxiety affects success and that children's self-confidence and family support are crucial. He offers 5 critical tips for parents to support their children during this process.

LEARN TO MANAGE YOUR STRESS

Parents' overly expectant, critical, or stressful approaches lead children to adopt negative thoughts such as "If I do poorly on the exam, my whole future will be ruined," "If I succeed, I am perfect; if I fail, I am completely inadequate," or "If I can't answer one question, I've lost, and I won't be able to do the others either." Such thoughts make it difficult for the child to evaluate reality objectively, increase their stress, and may even cause them to fail at questions they actually know. Therefore, try to control your own stress and do not hesitate to seek professional support if necessary.

ENSURE YOUR CHILD FEELS SAFE

It is extremely important for your child to know that their family is behind them under any circumstances. An attitude that includes understanding and unconditional acceptance makes the child feel safe. At this point, empathetic listening is very valuable. Instead of belittling the child's feelings, trying to understand them and giving them the message "I am with you no matter what" increases their strength to cope with stress.

SUPPORT THEM IN COPING WITH NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

Specialist Psychologist Oğuzhan Gürdoğan says, "One of the most effective interventions against exam anxiety is to support the child in noticing and questioning their negative thoughts. By asking questions such as, 'Does this thought reflect reality? What other evidence is there? How could a more balanced and realistic perspective look?', the child can be encouraged to reframe their thoughts. For example, helping them gain a more realistic and flexible perspective, such as 'The exam result is important, but it does not define my entire worth on its own,' reduces the intensity of anxiety."

SPEND QUALITY TIME TOGETHER

Spending quality time with your child without mentioning the exam at all will mentally and emotionally relax them. Creating environments supported by physical activities does not distract the child from their goal as is often thought. On the contrary, such healthy breaks allow them to return to the exam process more strongly and motivated. During this process, deep breathing exercises, muscle relaxation techniques, or short walks before the exam calm both the mind and the body. Additionally, rituals to get used to the exam step-by-step, such as solving practice tests, help keep anxiety under control.

APPRECIATE THEIR EFFORTS

"A child feeling safe supports the development of self-confidence and a sense of self-efficacy. When families appreciate not just the child's success, but the effort they show and their dedication to the process, it builds stronger psychological resilience in the long run. This approach develops the child's skills to cope with stress not just for the exam, but throughout their entire life. Exams are transient experiences; however, the thoughts the child develops about themselves and their environment during this process remain for a lifetime. When the child shapes their thoughts and beliefs in a more flexible, realistic, and positive framework, combined with the unconditional support offered by their family, it provides a gain far more important than the exam itself."

News Source: 12punto