It’s test time at your child’s school. The kids have been prepared for testing by their teachers. They’ve been told how important they are and to do their best.

You’ve heard schools get rated based on test scores. They get funding. Student scores are part of teacher evaluations. And a small part of you might want to know how your little guy’s doing in relation to other kids their age? 

Standardized testing is serious business at school. So what do you, as a parent, do to prepare your child? What do you do to make sure he takes this seriously and scores well? 

Nothing. 

What if you don’t like this whole idea of standardized tests? What then? What do you tell your child? 

Nothing. 

Know going into this, your visual kids may not like this, they may not score well and that’s okay! Standardized tests are designed to measure a small part of your child’s ability- tests measure the kind of skills and knowledge that happen in left side of the brain – everyone has those skills, but they’re not usually strong for some visual kids. 

Do what you do every day to set them up for a good day. 

1. Body basics – good amount of sleep. Good breakfast (protein), etc.
2. Keep it a stress free zone. However you feel about testing – don’t pass on to your kids. Keep it light. And keep your opinions to yourself.
3. Do their best – treat testing as you do any of their school day. Expect them to listen to teacher, pay attention to teacher, get their work done and do their best work.
4. Keep up activities – keep life normal. If they have art class, dance or sports afterschool – kids need to keep doing and moving outside the classroom so they can sit still and focus in school.
5. Explain – but keep it light. No added pressure. 

Keep Calm and Carry On… your kids are being tested. But don’t put too much weight on the outcome.