As the nation’s primary school students prepare to sit the 11-Plus examination on Tuesday, a leading educational psychologist is calling on parents to prioritise their children’s mental and emotional well-being over the pressure of the results.
Juanita Brathwaite-Wharton, Senior Psychologist in the Ministry of Education Transformation Student Support Services, is emphasising that the assessment is a natural progression of the primary school journey rather than a defining moment of a child’s worth.
”I would say that the 11-plus examination is an assessment of what the students should have done in the primary school,” Brathwaite-Wharton stated. “As a parent, I would tell my child that it is one exam. They’ve been through several exams before, and they will probably go through several exams in the future. Tomorrow is just a day like any other day.”
A critical component of the Ministry’s message this year focuses on the emotional climate within the home. Brathwaite-Wharton cautioned parents against inadvertently projecting their own fears onto their children, which can hinder academic performance and emotional stability.
”I would suggest not to put any undue pressure,” she advised. “A lot of times we parents are feeling anxious and nervous ourselves, and we transfer that onto our children. At this stage, it is time for the children to relax, to de-stress, to prepare their minds and their bodies for tomorrow.”
The Senior Psychologist noted that the true purpose of the examination is to facilitate a placement where students can reach their unique potential. By framing the exam as a tool for matching students with the right environment, the Ministry hopes to lower the stakes felt by families across the island.
To combat the buildup of “exam fever,” Brathwaite-Wharton is recommending specific, stress-relieving activities for the final hours before the test. She suggests that stepping away from textbooks and into nature can provide a necessary mental reset.
”I would encourage parents to engage students this evening in something stress-relieving,” she said. “If it is possible, you can take them to the beach, maybe to a park where they can engage in playing. Observing and engaging with nature helps de-stress and decompress from all of the anxieties that would have built up to this point.”
For families remaining at home, the Ministry recommends utilising mindfulness activities and calming music found online to prepare the students mentally. Ensuring a good night’s rest and an early start tomorrow morning are also cited as essential steps to keeping students relaxed and ready to do their “absolute best.”
As the transition to secondary education begins, Brathwaite-Wharton reminded parents that their support must remain constant, regardless of the eventual school placement. She urged parents to look beyond the scores and focus on the long-term development of their child’s specific interests and talents.
”I would encourage parents to continue to throw their full support behind their children,” Brathwaite-Wharton emphasised. “Find out what their interests, their strengths are, their weaknesses—work with them on the weaknesses, but use the strengths to propel them onto the next stage of their life.”
She concluded with a powerful reminder of the parental role: “Let them know regardless of how they perform in this particular examination, that you as their parents will be their biggest champions, ensuring that they are a success at whatever they put their minds to.”
(RR)
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