Testing Tips for Parents: How to Support Your Child Without Stress

As a parent, it’s natural to want your child to succeed in school. But when test season arrives, many children (and parents!) feel overwhelmed. With the right strategies and mindset, you can turn testing from a stressful event into a learning opportunity.

In this article, we’ll explore practical testing tips for parents to help your child stay calm, focused, and confident.

1. Create a Calm Environment at Home

Your child’s learning environment plays a huge role in their ability to focus and prepare. Designate a quiet space with minimal distractions where they can study comfortably. Keep supplies handy — pencils, paper, a clock, and snacks can help eliminate interruptions.

2. Encourage Healthy Habits

One of the most overlooked testing tips for parents is maintaining a healthy lifestyle during test week. Make sure your child is:

Getting 8–10 hours of sleep
Eating balanced meals (especially breakfast!)
Staying hydrated
Getting fresh air or exercise

A healthy body supports a focused mind.

3. Talk About the Purpose of Testing

Testing can feel scary for young kids, especially if they associate it with punishment or failure. Explain that tests are tools to measure progress — not a judgment of who they are. This positive mindset can reduce test anxiety and build resilience.

4. Avoid Pressure and Comparison

Never compare your child to siblings or classmates. Everyone learns differently. Focus on progress, not perfection. Praise effort, not just results. This approach builds your child’s confidence and encourages a growth mindset.

Looking for more behavior and emotional development advice? Read our full guide here:
My Toddler: Parenting Tips, Development, and Behavior Guide

5. Practice with Sample Tests (But Don’t Overdo It)

Practice tests help your child become familiar with the format and reduce nervousness. You can:

Use online resources
Ask your child’s teacher for sample questions
Create short quizzes based on class material

Keep it fun — make it a game instead of a chore!

6. Use the PBS Parent Portal for Activities

The PBS Parent Portal is a fantastic resource filled with learning games, reading tools, and printable activities. These tools support learning in a stress-free and enjoyable way, helping your child prepare for tests through play.

7. Communicate With Teachers

Stay in touch with your child’s teacher to understand what’s expected in upcoming assessments. Ask for tips tailored to your child’s strengths and struggles. Teachers often provide valuable insights you can’t find online.

8. Focus on Emotional Support

Children often look to parents for emotional cues. Stay calm and positive yourself, especially the night before the test. A simple “I believe in you” can do wonders for your child’s self-esteem.

9. Celebrate Small Wins

Whether your child answers one tough question correctly or simply finishes a test feeling good — celebrate it. Small victories build long-term confidence and create a healthy attitude toward learning and assessment.

10. Trust the Process

Remember, testing is just one part of your child’s educational journey. It doesn’t define their potential. Keep encouraging them, stay involved, and let them know you're proud no matter what.

Bonus Tip

Reinforce lessons through storytelling, creative activities, or watching educational shows. Kids retain more when they’re having fun!

Final Thoughts

Being a parent during test season is all about balance — between guidance and independence, between structure and empathy. With these testing tips for parents, you can turn this phase into a valuable, stress-free experience for both you and your child.

FAQs: Testing Tips for Parents

1. What is the best way to prepare my child for a school test?
Encourage regular study habits, use practice tests, talk positively about testing, and avoid last-minute cramming.

2. How can I reduce my child’s test anxiety?
Promote a healthy routine, remind them that tests measure learning (not their worth), and offer emotional reassurance.

3. Should I let my child take breaks while studying?
Absolutely! Breaks improve focus and memory. Try 25-minute study sessions followed by 5-minute breaks (Pomodoro method).

4. Is it okay if my child doesn’t score well on a test?
Yes. One test does not define a child. Focus on what they learned, and use results to identify areas of improvement.