Our ISEE series continues following our recent overview of the exam and how to get started preparing. In each of our subsequent ISEE articles, beginning with this one focusing on anxiety and stress management, we will get specific about a few key areas our research, data, and experience has shown to bring the most dramatic score increases. We have worked with every type of learner here at ArborBridge and wish to share our recommendations in order to support families wherever needed. If you would like more information on ArborBridge, or would like to take advantage of one of our free practice tests (in-person or online), please click the links or call 917.525.2548.
Sincerely,
Tim Benson, Senior Director
ArborBridge is hosting the following free informational events:
Los Angeles Area
Community ISEE and Admissions Informational Session — Panel of Experts
Thursday, October 9, 2014, 7:00pm-8:30pm
LILA Burbank, 1105 W. Riverside Dr., Burbank, CA 91506
Everywhere
ISEE Informational Webinar
Thursday, October 2, 2014, 6:00pm-7:00pm
We welcome Lisa Peacock, one of the premier LMFTs in Los Angeles discussing ways you can manage your child’s stress for the ISEE, and life.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and the founder of The Peacock Foundation, a non-profit focused on healing and bettering the lives of children and their families, I have dealt with many forms of stress. Here are some easy steps to success and family cohesion.
Top 5 Ways to Minimize Your Child’s Stress
5. Make a Plan – As parents you should sit down separately and discuss what you think is appropriate for your child. How much studying? Strengths and weaknesses? Study habits? A good plan means a focus and an understanding of how to move forward. It also puts parents on the same page. If you are helping each other you are helping your child. In the same way a single parent should sit down with a friend or confidant that can be a good listening support while they decipher a plan.
4. Get Help – We teach children at a young age to ask for help when they cannot do something. Why does this change as we get older? All of a sudden we are supposed to know everything. False. Find resources to help you. We all have chosen career paths and it is all right to admit that teaching and child support is not your chosen path.
3. Diet – We all know that what we put in our body changes the chemicals inside us that monitor sleep, attention, brain activity, and blood flow. If we overeat all of the blood goes to digestion and not to our brain. Ask your doctor the best diet for your child when they need to have mental acuity for the test. Diet should be stable the entire week before the test to make sure that the chemicals in their system are stable and working to help your child through stress.
2. Sleep – Just as it is important to monitor our diet, it is important to allow our brain to recuperate. We have to plug in our phones every night—why do we give our own body so much less? Make sure that your child has adequate sleep during test prep and before testing. This will make memory and sharpness working for your child’s success.
1. You Matter – Set aside time to spend with them that has nothing to do with the test. It is important for your child to know that you love and care about them no matter how they perform on the test. Most children manifest performance anxiety, worrying more about letting their parents down or disappointing them. If you remove this fear they will naturally be more relaxed and reduce stress.
Lisa Peacock has been working in mental health with children for 12 years. She started The Peacock Foundation in 2002 to provide access for children to mental health using animals as a creative tool for healing. She now runs a private practice in Valley Village and uses all creative methods to create harmony and success in the lives of her clients.
