When we start working together, my clients often do poorly on tests, even though they studied. It’s so frustrating. The trick is to study in the right way. Here’s three mistakes kids make, and what to try instead.

1. Don’t “go over the material” —> Instead, produce some output

Reading over the notes of the sample problems feels productive, but it’s not a great way to study! Our brain does best when we transform the information we’re learning. At a minimum, you should make some note cards and test yourself (look away, and see what you can recall, then check them over). Even better:

• Make a practise test and master it

• Create a web diagram of everything on the test

• Get together with friends and test each other

2. Don’t ignore your anxiety before the test —> Instead calm yourself and see how much more you remember.

When we’re stressed, we forget what we just learned, and do old bad habits. That’s why you can…..

When school is stressful for your kid, you probably want to help, but, you don’t want to make it worse by accident. Every intervention is risky - when you offer to help you can end up taking all the blame when things go wrong, or you might send your kid on the wrong track. Sometimes you will need to intervene - especially if your kid is in an unfair or discriminatory setting - but other times, the easiest choice is to STOP doing things that aren’t working.

I work with my clients - parents and students - to cut out things that aren’t working. This type of strategy is sometimes called via negativa - making progress by removing what doesn’t work. Nassim Taleb explains “it is easier to know that something is wrong than to find the fix.” When we stop making things worse, sometimes it makes things better.

This article focuses on strategies that might work best in Grade 6 and up, but the principles are the same for lower grades, you might just need to provide more support.

Let’s look at 3 things you can stop doing when your kid is stressed at school:

Tired of fighting with the kids when it’s time for homework?

Even if the fight helps the homework get done, it’s not worth it! In the end it will subvert your working relationship with your kid.

If you take a different approach, you can help your kid get their work done without the conflict!

We’ve all been there! It’s after-school time and you are locked into a battle about homework that isn’t helping anyone. It’s so easy to get into a conflict like this, and hard to get out. I made a quick video that will take you through the basics of homework peace…..click ‘read more’ to see the video!