Looking for ways to help your child feel confident and prepared for SATs? Here are our top tips to help your child keep calm and feel confident ahead of them!
1. There’s no need to panic
Whilst it is important that your child tries their hardest for the SATs, their primary purpose is to measure how schools are doing, not to measure your child’s ability.
Knowing what’s included can also help you and your child to feel more confident about them. Don’t forget to read our ultimate guide to SATs to make sure you know what’s included and how you can best help your child prepare.
2. Believe in your child
It’s important to get involved in your child’s SATs journey. Playing an active role can benefit your child greatly in enhancing their self-esteem and attitude towards the tests. If they know you believe in them, they sure will too!
A great way to get involved is by asking your child to explain to you maths concepts they have learnt. You will gain useful knowledge of where there are gaps, and your child will help gain confidence in what they already know.
3. Avoid last-minute cramming: little and often is key!
Children’s brains are like sponges and can absorb vast amounts of information – but the earlier they prepare, the better. By preparing for SATs in advance, it can help reduce your child’s stress.
The ‘Little and Often’ approach is central to how DoodleMaths works. We have found that children using DoodleMaths for 10 minutes, six days weekly, progress faster than those who use it for 60 minutes once a week.
If you haven’t already, get your child started on DoodleMaths! DoodleMaths will automatically remediate weaker areas through its algorithms, perfect for your child preparing for their SATs tests. Short and regular bursts of DoodleMaths and DoodleMaths (Times Tables) are far more effective than last minute cramming.
4. Encourage, encourage and encourage!
When used correctly, encouraging words and phrases can have a powerful positive effect on your children and their confidence. Try and use some of the following when praising and encouraging your children:
“I saw the way you solved that tricky question, well done!”
“You found a clever way to do that, super work!”
“I can see you tried really hard there!”
“Keep up the great work!”
“I knew you could do it!”
The Doodle Team have also put together some of our favourite motivational quotes. Why not share these with your child?
“Winning doesn’t always mean being first. Winning means you’re doing better than you’ve done before.”Bonnie Blair
“You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think” Christopher Robin
“Nothing is particularly hard if you break it down into small jobs” – Henry Ford
“And will you succeed? YES you will indeed! – Dr Seuss
5. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes
Make sure your child knows that there is no such thing as mistakes, only lessons.
6. Make time for fresh air and exercise
If your child is feeling stressed or nervous about tests, it’s important that they take regular breaths of fresh air. This will leave them feeling much more refreshed and relaxed to continue.
7. Plan down-time fun
Stuck for ideas? Try these out with your child:
- Get on the climbing frame with your child and be children together
- Make a homemade pizza together
- Build a fort
- Have a water gun fight
- Go on a bike ride
- Have a dance party
- Go for an ice cream and walk in the park
- Throw around a frisbee
- Make something out of LEGO or paint a picture together
- Lay down on the grass together and watch the clouds go by pointing out funny shapes
