In some states children start taking standardized tests as early as second grade — and in all states students take state standardized tests in third grade through eighth grade and once in high school. Sadly, many kids get anxious about these tests. With the help of the following tips, you can help ease your child’s test anxiety by helping them know more about the process.

5 ways to reduce test anxiety

  1. Get the facts about the standardized tests

    Find out the exact dates your child will be tested and which tests they will take this year. Check to see if the tests will be different in any way from the ones they took the year before. Once you know some details, you can help your child feel ready for what’s ahead. (Don’t know what tests your child will take? Check out this .)

  2. Talk to your child

    If your child is feeling nervous, ask why. Often children feel better when they voice their fears, so give your child a chance to talk about the process and what they are afraid of. If your child is worried about failing or doing poorly, your reassurances will help him feel less frightened. Learning expert Annie Murphy Paul recommends an exercise called expressive writing. The morning of a test, have your child spend 10 minutes jotting down the many things on their mind. It’s a proven way to relieve your child’s working memory. Watch Annie Murphy Paul explain expressive writing and why it helps.

  3. Help your child practice

    If your child is familiar with the format of the test, they’ll feel more prepared. Ask the teacher or check your state’s Department of Education website for some sample questions or other materials that can help your child get acquainted with the test.

  4. Set your child up for success

    See that your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before the test and eats breakfast that morning. Read more about how much sleep your child should be getting — and how much sleep helps.

  5. Don’t let the test stress you!

    While tests have importance, they are just one measure of student learning. If you remain calm, chances are your child will probably feel calmer, too. Also, try to keep the process in perspective. Annie Murphy Paul recommends having your child make a self-concept map. In the center of the paper, your child writes “me.” From that central spot, your child draws lines out to the many identities they have: child, artist, video gamer, sibling, smart student, soccer player, animal lover, and so on. The idea is to help your child see that how they perform on a test is not who they are.