THOUSANDS of children throughout Guyana (and indeed the Caribbean) will be taking the Common Entrance exam shortly and parents, some of you are more anxious than your children.

Yes, children need to study and yes, we want them to do well, but it has become a culture to go into overkill and have children studying literally, day and night. There needs to be balance in a child’s life at every given juncture. So parents, you really need to work around what is comfortable for your child and give him/her some space to relax his/her mind. Cramming their brains full of information is no guarantee that they will remember it at the given time. However, when children are taught relevant information in a timely and relaxed manner, the outcome can be far more beneficial.

Children have different ways of learning; they don’t all follow one pattern. Do you know which way your child learns best? Have you ever asked your child or spoken to their teachers? It’s been said: If a child doesn’t learn the way you teach, then teach them the way they learn. This means ‘teachers’ should be flexible and adjustable enough to adapt to the learning capability and style of their students. Parents are the first teachers in a child’s life and all ‘teachers’ impart information to their pupils. Some teachers have a more natural, easier way of teaching, just like some parents have more effective parenting skills. The best ‘teachers’ however, make a positive impact on their pupils for life.

So let us be realistic about ‘how’ our children are learning for their Common Entrance examination: and let their learning be manageable and within their capability. They are simply taking an exam that will enable them to move on to a secondary education — a secondary education that should be in line with their academic ability. It is not and never will be the’ be all’ and ‘end all’ of their lives. There will always be room for them to aspire, either in their secondary school or from their secondary school to a school with a higher ‘band’.

Parents and caregivers, you need to encourage children to do the best they can at Common Entrance and to reassure them that you love and support them regardless of their exam results. Banning television, the use of video games and Ipads during this period may seem necessary. From a parents’ point of view, these things are distracting. But monitored use once in a while can help to free your child’s mind from constant studying and help maintain a balance. Doing other things that are totally unrelated to Common Entrance can also help. Like going for a walk in the ‘gardens’, playing a sport, or just relaxing and having a fun time playing cards or board games.

Parents, threatening, blackmailing or bribing your child to do well at Common Entrance is a real ‘no-no’. Grown-ups who do this are not helping their children to succeed; they are just putting them under extra pressure. Instead of focusing on their exam with an ease of mind, their thoughts could stray elsewhere because of things you may have said.

One last thing parents, if you can, please refrain from telling your child ‘Pick up yuh book’. Anyone can pick up a book and appear to be reading or learning (basically to stop you from nagging) but real learning is natural and enjoyable. Very little is achieved when it is forced upon a child. (Although a nudge in the right direction or a thoughtful reminder is sometimes needed). So instead of saying ‘pick up yuh book’, why not sit with your child and go over their work with them. Build their confidence by sharing an interest in their work instead of dictating what they should do.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child ring the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to childcaregy@gmail.com
A MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION, CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY