Parents tread a delicate line during the high-pressure Matric study and exam time. On the
one hand you want to be motivating for optimal performance every step of the way, but it’s easy to tip over into applying too much pressure on an already stressed-out teen. It’simportant for parents to have an accurate take on their child’s unique coping mechanisms as it’s not uncommon for teens to be adept at masking anxiety and stress. In other words, the teen presenting a carefree, even careless front may well be doing this to hide strong, fear-based emotions they haven’t yet learnt to process.
Ziyanda Khumalo, a SACAP (South African College of Applied Psychology) Student Support
and Development Advisor emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between pressuring
and motivating children. She says, “If you notice your child is frequently anxious, stressed or
even exhibiting signs of fear, it might indicate that they are feeling pressured. Your child
may be overly focused on avoiding failure rather than striving for success. Perfectionism
and frequent self-criticism may be also signs of too much pressure. There can be physical
symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, trouble sleeping or changes in appetite.
Procrastinating and losing interest in enjoyable activities can also be signs of reduced well-
being.”
Ziyanda is on the SACAP panel of experts presenting the free SACAP Parents’ Guide to
Matric support webinar from 10:00 to 11:30 on Saturday, 19 August 2023. The panellists’ focus is on practical ways to navigate exam stress during the upcoming months.
SACAP Educator and Educational Psychologist, Jacques Viljoen highlights how important it
is for parents to be able to identify and understand stress in children. He says, “Children
often do not express their feelings and emotions as transparently as adults. This can make it
challenging for parents to discern when their child is experiencing stress, anxiety, or other
negative emotions related to exams. This means that active engagement and informed
observation by parents are essential in understanding and supporting their child's emotional
well-being.” Jacques will unpack tools such as active listening, observation and using open-
ended questions during the webinar.
Another key aspect of parental support during Matric exams is providing adequate support
and resources. Jacques says, “Academic pressure and competition can be overwhelming
for children. Parents need to ensure that they're not just focusing on grades but also on the
holistic well-being of their children. It helps when parents continually remind their child that
their worth is not solely based on exam results. Parents can focus on celebrating their
efforts, resilience, and progress, not just the outcome.”
Supporting your child well includes providing a stress-free environment and promoting a
balanced routine and healthy lifestyle. It is also important for parents to model positive
behaviours such as managing your own stress and anxiety and paying attention to self-care.
There are opportunities to boost your bonds by taking short breaks to be physically active
together and to share healthy meals. Counsellor, Salma Kathrada will be joining the SACAP
panel. She works with the wellbeing of families and will focus on practical ways to build
healthy relationships and maintain family balance during exam time.
Ziyanda concludes, “Open and non-judgemental conversations are the fuel for traversing the
Matric landscape as smoothly as possible. To promote motivation rather than pressure
parents can set realistic expectations and help their teens set achievable academic and
study goals that are aligned to their abilities. Focus on being encouraging, and support
appropriate time off for exercise, social interaction and relaxation. Offer emotional support,
reassurance and a safe space for your child to express their feelings. Celebrating small wins
creates frequent positive reinforcement and builds confidence. Some parents may need to
focus on letting go of the reins a bit and providing more autonomy so that their teen has
some control over their study schedule and can make decisions that increase their
responsibility. In the same vein, aim to encourage intrinsic motivation so your child can
discover their personal reasons for studying which can lead to more sustainable self-
motivation. Remember that every child is unique, and it’s important to maintain open
communication so that you understand their needs and feelings during the exam season.
While Matric is without doubt a challenging time, it is potentially also a time of learning,
growing and deepening relationships.”
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