Assisting Children with Learning Challenges in Exam Preparation – by Karen Archer, Educational Psychologist and Deputy Principal at Bellavista School Surviving the exam season can feel stressful and perhaps overwhelming at times. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or teacher, your responsibility is to help your children strike a balance between being too laid-back and being overwhelmed by anxiety. This is no simple task, and it becomes even more significant when dealing with children facing learning challenges. Consider the following advice to alleviate some of the pressure during this taxing period:
- Effective Time Management
Establishing a routine is crucial for grounded students. Cultivating good habits and engaging in regular revision can help alleviate the pressure as exams draw near. Short, consistent revision sessions provide peace of mind and highlight areas that may require additional attention before the exams. Planning plays a key role. You can use a large calendar to mark important academic and social dates, creating a visual reminder that both motivates students and aids in managing stress and anxiety associated with demanding tasks. These small changes help students develop good habits for the future and offer a path to conquer what might seem like an insurmountable challenge.
- Organised Workspace
Maintaining a consistent, organised workspace equipped with all the necessary tools and materials is essential. This supports a regular routine as the mind becomes accustomed to focusing in a specific area. Allocate time each week to organise the workspace and establish a color-coded filing system for different subjects, promoting an organised learning plan. Visual cues such as the school timetable or the aforementioned large calendar are valuable organizational aids.
- Revision Guidelines and Homework
Teachers can alleviate stress by providing clear and detailed homework instructions and exam delineations. If school policy allows, students can consider photographing these for reference. Alternatively, teachers should ensure students have ample time to write down revision topics and homework tasks. Parents and caregivers should verify that this essential step is in place to support the study plan.
- Leveraging Technology
A multitude of helpful applications is available for learners with learning difficulties, including:
- Smartphone calendar applications for reminders and time management
- Text-to-speech software
- Audiobooks
- Voice notes and recording capabilities
- Using phone cameras to capture written information
- Multisensory Revision Techniques
Since individuals learn in diverse ways, merely reading through the material is often insufficient to help learners unlock their potential in exams. Multisensory learning strategies, like concept mapping, are valuable for all learners, particularly those facing learning difficulties. Implementing these strategies may require learners to invest time and practice, with initial supervision to ensure proper skill development. The earlier learners adopt these skills, the more likely they are to use them when confronted with substantial workloads.
- Exam Practice
Prior to exams, engage learners in discussions about question wording and instruction terminology. Encourage them to highlight question words when reviewing exams. Students should also focus on time management when responding to questions, a skill that can be taught and can aid learners when they encounter challenging questions.
- Managing Exam Stress and Promoting Well-being
While some stress can be beneficial, enhancing focus and performance, chronic and debilitating stress can hinder performance and contribute to mental health issues. Exams can genuinely induce stress and anxiety, and children with learning disabilities may be more susceptible. The tips mentioned above are instrumental in stress management and ensuring learners feel adequately prepared. Maintaining a balanced lifestyle is vital, and one should not overlook the following: maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, mindfulness techniques, and making time for enjoyment. For more information, visit www.bellavista.org.za
