A–Z Glossary

Test anxiety

Test anxiety is intense distress during an assessment that can interfere with a child’s ability to demonstrate what they know.

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Reducing anxiety during testing

Reducing anxiety during testing

Why testing can feel so intense in pregnancy Even when a test is routine, your nervous system may treat it as a threat. That response is understandable. Testing often includes uncertainty, a sense of lack of control, and a waiting period in which your mind may jump ahead to worst-case scenarios. During pregnancy, those thoughts […]

Responding calmly to a disappointing school report

Responding calmly to a disappointing school report

Pause before the first conversation The first few minutes after seeing a disappointing school report often set the emotional tone for everything that follows. If you feel angry, embarrassed, or frightened, it is reasonable to delay the conversation. A brief cooling-off period protects both you and your child from a reactive exchange that may be […]

Helping children set realistic academic goals after receiving grades

Helping children set realistic academic goals after receiving grades

Begin with emotional safety, not immediate problem-solving Before discussing targets, help the child regulate the emotional impact of the grade. A low mark may activate shame, threat perception, or fear of disappointing a caregiver. Even a high mark can create pressure if the child believes that future approval depends on repeating it. A calm conversation […]