Supporting Your Children Through Exam Season

Let's talk about some ways that you can support the young people in your life.

How can I help?

No matter the type of exam, there are some universal strategies we can all put to use to support our young people:

• Create a Supportive Environment: Ensure they have a quiet, comfortable space to study, free from distractions. Offer practical help, like ensuring they have the necessary resources.
• Encourage a Balanced Routine: While studying is important, so is sleep, healthy eating, and physical activity. Help them establish a routine that incorporates all these elements. Discourage late-night cramming, which can be counterproductive.
• Open Communication: Encourage them to talk about their worries and anxieties. Listen actively and empathetically, offering reassurance and a calm perspective. Let them know it's okay to feel stressed and that you're there to support them.
• Help with Organisation and Time Management: Break down study tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. Help them create a revision timetable, ensuring they allocate sufficient time to each subject while also including breaks.
• Focus on Effort, Not Just Outcomes: Praise their hard work, regardless of their perceived performance. Let them know that the effort they're putting in is what truly matters.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge their progress and achievements along the way, no matter how small they may seem. This can help build confidence and motivation.
• Limit Social Media & Distractions: While complete restriction might not be realistic, encourage them to take breaks from social media and other digital distractions, especially during study times.
• Stay Positive!: Your own attitude can significantly impact their stress levels. Try to remain calm and positive, offering a sense of stability and reassurance when they might not be feeling it.

For Foster Parents...

As foster parents, you play an incredibly vital and unique role in supporting young people through exam season. You provide a consistent, loving, and stable home environment that is crucial for their well-being during this demanding time. Here are some specific ways you can offer support:

• Be Supportive: Your consistent presence and support can be a lifeline during a period of uncertainty. Let them know you are there for them, no matter what.
• Liaise with the School & Your Fostering Agency: Stay in close contact with their school and their social worker. Understand their specific needs and any additional support they might be receiving or need to receive. Share any concerns you have. Be their advocate.
• Be Compassionate: Be mindful that past experiences of trauma can sometimes resurface during periods of stress. Offer extra patience and understanding, and seek advice from their social worker or relevant professionals if needed. At Family Care, we provide 24/7 support for our carers.
• Provide Outlets for Stress: Encourage physical activity, hobbies, or creative pursuits within the home environment. A walk in the park, listening to music, or spending time on a favourite hobby can be a great stress reliever and a good break.
• Be Patient and Understanding: There might be moments of irritability or withdrawal. Try to remain patient and understanding, offering a safe space for them to express their feelings.
• Celebrate Their Resilience: Recognise and celebrate their strength and resilience in navigating these challenges, regardless of the academic outcome.

Looking Beyond the Results

For all parents and caregivers, it's important to remember that exams are just one part of a young person's journey. Their worth is immeasurable and lies in their character, their kindness, their passions, and who they are as a person. As they navigate this upcoming exam season, focus on the support, celebrating their efforts, and reminding them that we are proud of them, no matter what the results may be.

Together, we can help them navigate this maze and come out the other side feeling supported, resilient, and ready for whatever comes next.

Help us make a life-changing difference