My 5-yr old kindergardener has a serious case of test anxiety. I've known this was a problem but it came to a head this morning when she didn't want to go to school because she had a spelling test. It is 5 words: I, he, in, on, at. She aced these words the same day they were assigned but because the teacher has been warning them everyday this week that there will be a spelling test, DD got anxious about it.

She hates to be tested. Some things I know she knows she can't prove during the testing because she simply freezes up. One of her homework assignments is to see how quickly they can write their sequential numbers in one minutes (1, 2, 3, 4 etc). You can see the anxiety in DD's body. She doesn't do well - even though she enjoys doing the exercise (she loves math) - because you can see the timer going off in her head!

When it comes to something she isn't 100% sure about she rather not say anything than get it wrong. One of the homework exercises is for her to identify randomly selected letters of the alphabet. If she comes to a letter she's not completely sure about she freezes, purses her lips together and shakes her head. Once she does that it is very hard for her to move onto the next letter even if it one she knows.

She has such a physical reaction to being tested, I almost get anxious for her!

Any ideas on how to help her get over this?

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

I'm sure that the moms on this board will give you better advice than I will, but I can tell you what has worked for the students I have taught.

I have taught kindergarten and first grade, and I've seen students freak out about tests. Because of that, I have tried to approach it in a different way during the last few years. I tell students that it is my job to teach them the skills to get them ready for the next grade, and I need to find out if I'm doing my job. I tell my students that I need them to show me what they show, so that I can become a better teacher. I tell them that I want them to do their best and show me everything they know, but if they don't know something, that's okay. I tell them that tests show what I have taught, so if you don't know something, then it tells me that I didn't teach it well enough.

It tends to take the pressure off of the students who freak out over tests. I'm not saying it's a cure-all, because I haven't had a student with a very severe problem - just mild freaking out over standardized tests or chapter tests. But, perhaps letting your child know that the teacher only wants to her to show what she knows.

It's important that students can find a way to get over (or at least deal with) test anxiety, because education is becoming more and more test-driven. Not just the ACTs or SATs, but in most states, students begin taking standardized tests in K or 1st grade. Schools in Missouri are being accredited based on test scores, so there is a HUGE pressure on teachers to have their students perform. Is it right? No, but that's the way it is now.

Good luck with your daughter, and I look forward to reading other people's suggestions for you. God bless you for trying to help your daughter through a difficult situation. Best of luck to you. Let us know how things go.

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If you need to get in touch with me, my email is teach1107910@yahoo.com.

I really feel for you and send hugs to you and your daughter!
I don't have any advice, but know it is so hard. My oldest has to take the WASL and pass to graduate next year. She has been taking grade level tests for this since she was in the 3rd grade. I remember seeing the first test question back then and saying is this a joke? I would have been hard pressed to get the answer. But not only do they have to get the right answer but they have to show their work and explain how they got their answer.
They get points for all of these in the answer. So a math question can have between 4& 5 points. THese can't be graded by a computer so it is tested by a person. THat leaves for their interpation of if the student understands and means it take almost a YEAR to get results back.
Since 8th grade my dd gets sick and can't sleep when WASL MONTH starts. She passes all parts of the test sometimes barely but she passes except math. SHe has taken classes to help her pass one in 8th grade, after school class in 9th and took test in 10th. Didn't pass took a 5hour class every day in the summer and took again in August. SHe was so confident and took test didn't pass. She now works on the computer and takes an after school class and had to sign a contract to go. She will take the test again in April. If she doesn't pass this one we will appeal. The last 2 times she took it she was only 20 points or less from passing! I am so sorry that I have taken over your post!
I have never thought I could homeschool my girls but with what is going on now if my dds were in K I would seriously look into other options!
Again I am so sorry for your dd and you and sorry about this long post!

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Karen

my oldest was this way for awhile, she did start to outgrow it. Make sure teacher understands the issue. My dd still doesn't do as well on timed tests as regular tests. The teacher knows but is not concerned at this time because she can see that dd is learning. Dd is very deliberate when taking tests.
sorry, I have no strategies. Just make sure dd knows it's okay if she doesn't know the answer.
allgirls

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allgirls, mom to 3 girls

Perhapse you could talk to her teacher about this and she may have some ideas. Maybe to the school counslor(sp). I only say this becuase it will only most likely get worse as she gets older so its best to do what you can now.