Psychologist advises:

IT IS important for parents and teachers of students who sat the recent SEA exams to tell the youngsters they appreciated their efforts.

That was the advice offered by Yvette Hood, a developmental psychologist, following the release of the SEA results last Thursday.

“Acknowledge them, knowing that they would have given their best, whatever the result,” she said.

Hood added that it was healthy to reward youngsters who had been successful in the exams. “Rewarding a child means praising and encouraging them and acknowledging their efforts and accomplishments.” she explained. “This means we need to learn to reward the behaviours that move our children in positive, growth-producing directions.

It is generally a very good educational reinforcement for this particular educational milestone, but whether it should be expensive or not I think it depends on the parents economic status and if they would want their children to have that kind of value.”

Hood also recommended that children be prepared for the transition from primary to secondary school. She said parents and teachers should talk to children about how their life would change.

“Explain to them that they may have to move about a lot more in secondary school with the different teachers and classes they would have. It requires them to be a bit more organised.

Parents should visit the school with the child to look at the environment. That is why secondary schools have orientation.