Pity me. We live in an exam-mad age and four of my five children, like most others in this country, are currently in the throes of revision. Or rather, they should be; not all of them view the prospect of the next academic hurdle with equal solemnity.
I have one daughter who considers breaking for lunch an unwarranted intrusion into GCSE studies, and who certainly isn't going to ruin her life-chances by playing an hour's tennis. A sheaf of papers permanently glued to her hand, she knows precisely where she is in her revision schedule and has to be begged to take a few minutes off.
But I also have a son who has virtually taken up residence in a friend's house for fear I might mention the word "revision". With an AS-level looming, he is in virgin territory when it comes to even opening a book.
Between the extremes, I have two children facing end-of-year exams, whose preparations have so far involved more expense than effort. Nowadays revision has become a branch of art. Without hundreds of pieces of coloured card and dozens of metallic markers with which to draw "mind maps", it is thought quite impossible for a child to fix any information in their heads. I've spent a small fortune on piles of crib books.
Increasingly, schools seem happy to delegate the supervision of revision to parents, with ever-vaster stretches of "study leave", or what I prefer to call "days off". Teachers, I am sure, enjoy not having neurotic pupils around and can probably justify their stance by pointing to the character-building qualities of independent study. But that leaves parents with the task of acting as jailor to anxious children who ache to take out their feelings on the first available adult who comes home tired from work.
So far I've largely ostriched my way through the revision maelstrom, feeling hugely grateful to a neighbour who runs a tea-and-biscuit revision session for her own children, which mine are welcome to attend. But, suffering from a nagging feeling of guilt and keen to demonstrate some parenting skills, I asked three experts for their advice on coping with these testing times. Child psychologist Ruth Coppard urged me to keep things in proportion. "So many children are worried sick about letting everyone down. They feel that they are failures if they don't get straight A*s. But there are also children who need to learn that they have to work to achieve. The best way to help both is to encourage them to view exams as doorways to the next stage. If you get through, great. If not, there will always be other chances later in life."
Michael Duke, principal educational psychologist for Denbighshire, echoes that sentiment. "Parents should be realistic about what their children can achieve. They will, after all, have been at school for 10 years before they start taking serious exams, so parents should know whether they have a child who is self-motivated or one who needs help with structuring their revision."
So I now know how to help my children do their best. And if I turn out not to be very successful at it, I can always revise these revision techniques next year - and for several more after that.
Some anxiety is good, but if a child is really worried, contact the school. A teacher or head of year should help the child get the exams in perspective. Remind them of stress-reduction techniques - exercises and breathing. And keep them away from other anxious children. In extreme cases - if a child isn't sleeping, for example - seek medical advice.
It will be an opportunity for your child to learn that they may want to do things differently next year, and that they may need parental help in structuring a revision timetable and sticking to it in future.
Comprehensive guide to revising for key stages two and three, GCSE and AS-levels. There are activities and quizzes for the younger age group, detailed subject-based resources for GCSE and AS-levels and printable planners listing educational TV programmes.
GCSE and A-level revision with topic by topic subject notes, sample exam questions and discussion forums where students can share revision tips.
Detailed revision notes for English, Maths, Physics, ICT and French GCSEs, including written exam practice, speaking and listening practice for language students, and tips on getting the most from revision.
Letts is the market leader in study aids and revision guides and publishes a range of resources for every age group from pre-school to A-level. Books for younger children feature puzzles, characters and real-life scenarios to help children engage and learn, while A-level guides include visual aids and practice questions.
The Revise and Shine series provides a day-by-day, week-by-week plan that aims to get children ready for key stages two and three exams in eight weeks. GCSE revision guides include test-yourself sections at the end of each topic and provide model answers. Practice papers are also available.
Based on the principle that pictures are easier to memorise than words, this subject-by-subject series features annotated diagrams and concise notes on each topic. Available from key stage three to A-level.
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