The key to doing well in the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) is developing effective study habits early and managing stress, say the experts. We sum up the strategies you can teach your child from Primary 4.
The key to doing well in the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) is developing effective study habits early and managing stress, say the experts. We sum up the strategies you can teach your child from Primary 4.
IF YOUR CHILD IS IN PRIMARY 4 OR 5
Set a regular study time
Once Junior enters upper primary, set up a weekly revision routine so that he’s absorbing knowledge in “bite-sized” portions, and will reduce the amount of cramming he needs to do in Primary 6, says Alan Yip, founder of Mind Edge.
“Do a weekly review to measure how much he has studied each week, which will lead to increased motivation.”
But be realistic about study time, says Helen Marjan, CEO and director of studies at Lorna Whiston Schools.
“An hour to 1½ hours a day should be enough if your child works consistently. Any longer is unrealistic, unless the child is strongly motivated. Make ‘academic time’ fun when he is younger so he associates learning with feelings of satisfaction.”
“Let your child negotiate work time with you. Be willing to make reasonable compromises if there is a valid reason – this will encourage him to develop independent thinking,” Helen adds.
Plan ahead
Encourage your child not to leave his assignments until the night before they are due. Write down all tasks so he can check on his progress. For long-term projects, set aside dates for completing certain stages well before the actual completion date.
Help him study smart
When your child is revising for exams, divide the content into units and ask him to decide when it would be best to study each unit. Use flash cards to help him memorise words, key figures, dates or language concepts.
“As children hit Primary 4 and above, they should start to study at least three days before tests to maximise retention of material,” Helen advises.
Insert some daily “buffer time”, Alan suggests. “If your child has completed his work, give him a choice of doing the things he enjoys. He can also use the buffer time to fill up his ‘vocabulary bank book’ – a ledger where he can write the meaning of new words that he may have come across.”
Instil self-discipline
Teach him to work and play quietly and independently. Make sure he has a comfortable place to work and help him to organise himself, Helen adds. “Encourage him to keep his toys and books in the right place, and to check that he has all the stationery he needs.”
She says it’s important for children to have time to relax and play. “This should not be seen as a waste of time, so encourage hobbies and an interest in physical play,” she adds.
Develop his language skills
Start reading to your young one from an early age so that you can discuss topics with him. “If your children see that you enjoy reading, they are more likely to read, too. Reading together can go on for as long as your child is happy with it,” Helen says.
Language skills also develop through exposure, so make sure that he has the opportunity to listen to good speech. “Talk to your kids regularly. Ask for their opinions and exchange views, as well as ideas and jokes,” Helen adds.
Adopt a learning style
Research has shown that students perform better in exams if they study according to their own learning style.
“Some children need more breaks than others, some prefer to study with friends, some need to discuss what they are learning with others, while some need to see visual examples,” Helen points out. “So find out which of these fits your kid best.”
Alan agrees: “Although each child has a predominant learning style, adopting all three styles – visual, auditory and kinaesthetic – will improve his learning efficiency by 80 percent. But review his learning style after a few years, as it tends to change over time.”
Having the necessary tools will also help, Helen says. “For example, provide highlighter pens and large pieces of paper for visual learners, and store videos that will enhance an auditory learner’s study experience. Help your child understand his own learning style and encourage him to use the space and materials available.”
“Some kids need more breaks than others, some prefer to study with friends, some need to discuss what they are learning with others, while some need to see visual examples.”
IF YOUR CHILD IS IN PRIMARY 6
Cultivate self-motivation
Encourage your kid to develop hobbies that don’t relate to studies. “If they have a reason to finish their work on time, it will give them the incentive to work smart. Also get them to set achievable targets and reward them with positive comments,” Helen says.
Teach him to manage stress well
• Remind him to breathe. Ask him to close his eyes for a few minutes and take slow, deep breaths whenever he feels stressed. If need be, get him to do a physical activity to take his mind off his studies for a bit. Squeezing a stress ball may also work, especially for kinaesthetic learners who crave bodily movements while studying.
• Let him practise mental relaxation. “Tell your child: ‘Think of a place, either real or imaginary. Close your eyes and make your mind go blank. Imagine that there’s a movie screen at the back of your eyelids. Project images and sounds onto it using your senses, to ease yourself into total relaxation. Remember these images and feelings.’
Your kid can practise this three times a day for the first month and subsequently once a day or as often as needed,” Alan suggests.
• Tell him to remain positive. Remind your child to accept his limitations. “Not everyone can get straight As, so tell your child that he can only do his best. Remind yourself, and him, that nobody is perfect,” Helen says.
Alan adds: “When he has set his goals, he must press on even when he’s tired and there are many challenges ahead. Get him to practise positive visualisation – ask him to close his eyes and think of an occasion when he was engaged in a very successful activity, and was feeling confident, happy and in control – the same feelings he’ll experience when he achieves his goals.” • Listen without prejudice. Encourage Junior to ask questions and to express his concerns and fears. Build up his confidence by using encouragement and affection, instead of punishment.
“Allow him to make choices and have some control in his life. The more people feel they have control over a situation, the better their response to stress will be,” Helen advises. • Plan a family outing each week. Visits to the science centre, zoo and bird park not only help your kids to de-stress, but will also expose them to science topics.
“This way, your children are learning and enjoying themselves at the same time,” says Alan. “I’d also recommend sports activities. Exercise releases serotonin, a chemical which helps to reduce stress levels.”
Make sure he gets nine hours of sleep a night
Bedtime should be consistent. “A lack of sleep can lead to decreased attentiveness, poorer short-term memory, inconsistent performance and delayed response time. Make sure that there’s enough time for your child to unwind before they sleep,” Helen says.
Boost your kid’s nutritional intake
Provide him with healthy meals and snacks to raise his energy levels.
“Too much sugar will turn him hyperactive, while too little sugar makes him tired and irritable. Replace biscuits and cakes with a fruit bowl and make sure he eats lots of vegetables. Don’t buy sugary drinks – encourage him to drink lots of water instead,” Helen advises.
Limit his intake of fast food and encourage him to eat more oats, brown rice and bread, wholewheat pasta, as well as seeds and nuts. These, along with oily fish such as mackerel, sardines, tuna and salmon, are all good sources of essential fats, necessary for developing a healthy brain.
Play with colours
These stimulate the brain, increasing productivity and accuracy, says Helen. “Cool colours like blue, green, purple and silver can help people to concentrate better. You may have noticed that libraries often use a pale colour or light green to create an effect that enhances quietness and concentration. You can do the same with your child’s bedroom or study room walls.”
Alan also suggests using different coloured pens.
“Brighter colours like red and orange release happy chemicals in the brain, stimulating it to remember better.”
Help him stay calm and collected
“A day before the exam, get all the study materials together. "
“Spend 30 minutes doing an overview of the materials with your child before intensively reviewing only the most important ones. Then, spend time creating mind maps or reciting the main points out loud,” Alan says.
“Put the points into a song or draw pictures if you need to, if such ways will help your kid retain information better.” Get your kid to sleep early on the eve of the exam.
Alan advises you to remind your child: “In the hours immediately before the exam, do not try to learn anything new. Use positive images in your mind and talk to yourself in a positive way.
“Review what you need to do if you are nervous – avoid talking to other nervous students.
“During the exam, don’t pay attention to what others are doing. Budget your time wisely and tackle the questions that you’re confident about first.”
“Not everyone can get straight As, so tell your child that he can only do his best. Remind yourself, and him, that nobody is perfect.”
helping kids with different learning styles
A visual learner studies best with visual aids, so try these strategies:
• Drawing a map of a scientific process
• Making outlines and charts of everything
• Listing key points
• Watching videos
• Using flash cards and highlighters, underlining and circling words
An auditory learner studies best by reading text out loud. He may learn better by:
• Using word association to remember facts
• Repeating facts with eyes closed
• Participating in discussions
• Listening to audio materials for language practice
• Recording notes and playing them back
A kinaesthetic learner needs constant movement and thrives on experiential learning. Boost his capabilities by doing these:
• Studying in short blocks of time or with others
• Taking practical classes
• Role-playing
• Going on field trips or visiting museums
• Using memory games and flash cards
• Taking short breaks throughout study time
TEXT: AZLINDA SAID/SIMPLY HER. PHOTOGRAPHY: DARREN CHANG. ART DIRECTION & STYLING: LOY SZE JIN. TOYS: THE BETTER TOY STORE
