Parents must support their children during their matric exams and not put more pressure on them, psychologists said.
Clinical psychologist Pauline Mawson says:
- Parents should not set unrealistic goals or promise big rewards for doing well in the exams as this can lead to low self-esteem if a child doesn't perform well;
- They should rather encourage their children to do their best;
Educational psychologist Lizette Erasmus advises:
- Parents should not put more pressure on their children by giving them bad news when they are writing exams;
- They should give the children a break from their normal chores and not expect them "to work in the garden the whole Saturday".
- Parents can also lighten the mood in the house by being positive and making jokes.