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May is a marvelous month, finally the warm weather is
here to stay! Your gardens are coming into full bloom and
everyone and everything seems wonderful after the long
winter!! But looming in the middle of the month lurks - MCAS
MANIA!!!! That exciting time of year when the fourth grade
students spend a full week of testing, and parents have the
privilege of sharing that experience with their children.
Most of the children have been worrying for months about the
test, knowing it will be here soon. Teachers have feverishly
prepared their classes for this ominous event. They taught,
re-taught, pushed, cajoled, and even prodded their students
into absorbing the information needed and making sure the
necessary skills have been learned to be successful. Finally
the infamous week arrives - and your child is ready!! But
are you?? There are those students who love the challenge
and the thrill of testing. Unfortunately, I was not one of
them!! Many of us are. You may find your child to be sullen
and quiet during that week or even a little withdrawn. The
anxious child has difficulty falling asleep, wakes up
frequently throughout the night, is convinced that he/she
will not pass the test. The more irritable child is picking
fights with anyone within ten feet of them, nothing anyone
does is right, and the whole world is a mess in their eyes
that week. Some children are weepy all week. Others take the
famous "I don't care attitude.". Well, whichever one of
these children is similar your child read on for some
tips!
Helpful Tips For Parents:
. First on your list of necessities for that week is a
large bottle of Tylenol - Extra Strength!
. You will need to fuel up your "Funny Bone", you need to
see the humor in the situations that occur, having a sense
of humor helps keep things in perspective and prevents you
from getting caught up in the stress.
.Take time to look, listen, and learn what is really
bothering your child - help them talk, draw, or work out the
nervous energy so they can relax.
. Keep the family routines as regular as possible -
changes may only add to the stress of the week.
. Plan simple, fun, activities to look forward to after a
day of testing i.e. eat a pizza out instead of bringing it
home, make some cookies or family dessert together, go to
the playground or park, watch a silly movie together.
. Most of all support your child, no matter what their
style is for dealing with the stress of testing, let them
know you know they can do it!!
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