Coffee morning catch-up - May 22nd
Date: Friday 22nd May 2026
Topic: Supporting Children Through Exam Stress
Thank you to everyone who joined our May virtual coffee morning. It was a thoughtful and supportive session, with parents and carers sharing honest reflections, practical ideas, and personal experiences around supporting children during exam and assessment periods.
For those who were unable to attend, below is an overview of the key themes, discussions, and strategies shared during the session.
Welcome and introduction
We began by reflecting on last month’s session, Talking About Difficult News & Big Emotions, before introducing this month’s focus: Supporting Children Through Exam and Assessment Stress.
We acknowledged that assessment periods can place pressure on the whole family, not just the child, and that emotional wellbeing is an important part of helping children navigate these experiences successfully.
Key message shared:
“Success during exams isn’t just about grades, it’s about helping children feel supported, capable, and emotionally safe.”
Understanding exam and assessment stress
We explored the different ways stress can present itself during periods of academic pressure.
Key ideas discussed:
• Stress can affect children emotionally, physically, and behaviourally
• Some children may become withdrawn, emotional, irritable, or perfectionistic
• Others may avoid revision or appear disengaged due to anxiety
• Every child experiences academic pressure differently
Parents reflected on how their own experiences of exams growing up can sometimes shape the way they respond to their children’s worries today.
Key message:
“Stress is not always a sign that something is wrong, sometimes it’s a sign that something feels important.”
Reducing pressure at home
This part of the session focused on how families can provide encouragement without unintentionally increasing pressure.
Strategies shared:
• Focus on effort, progress, and perseverance rather than outcomes alone
• Avoid comparisons with siblings, peers, or predicted grades
• Keep communication calm and supportive
• Remind children that one assessment does not define their worth or future
• Celebrate small wins and positive habits
Parents discussed the importance of children feeling accepted and supported regardless of results.
Key message:
“Children thrive when encouragement feels bigger than expectation.”
Supporting healthy study habits
We explored practical ways to help children develop balanced and manageable revision routines.
Strategies discussed:
• Encourage shorter study sessions with regular breaks
• Help children create realistic and flexible revision plans
• Support organisation without taking over completely
• Encourage a balance between work, rest, movement, and enjoyable activities
• Adapt revision approaches for neurodiverse children or those with additional needs
Parents shared some of the challenges of supporting revision at home and recognised that what works for one child may not work for another.
Key message:
“Balance supports learning better than burnout.”
Managing anxiety and emotional overwhelm
We discussed how adults can help children manage feelings of anxiety and overwhelm during stressful periods.
Key approaches:
• Model calm and reassuring responses
• Normalise feelings of worry or nervousness
• Use grounding strategies, breathing exercises, or movement breaks
• Encourage open conversations about fears and worries
• Reassure children that it is okay to ask for help
There was strong recognition that children often take emotional cues from the adults around them.
Key message:
“Children borrow calm from the adults around them.”
The importance of routine and wellbeing
This part of the session focused on the importance of maintaining wellbeing during assessment periods.
Key points discussed:
• Sleep, nutrition, hydration, and movement all impact concentration and emotional regulation
• Late-night revision can sometimes increase anxiety and reduce retention
• Familiar routines can provide stability and reassurance
• Downtime and opportunities to relax are important and should not create guilt
Parents reflected on how difficult it can sometimes be to maintain routines during busy or stressful periods.
Key message:
“Rest is productive too.”
Building confidence and resilience
We explored ways to help children develop confidence and resilience beyond academic achievement.
Key ideas:
• Help children recognise strengths beyond academics
• Encourage self-compassion and realistic expectations
• Mistakes and setbacks are part of learning
• Praise coping skills, persistence, and emotional honesty
• Resilience develops gradually over time
Parents shared examples of how recognising effort and personal growth can positively impact confidence.
Key message:
“Confidence grows through support, not pressure.”
Managing online pressure and comparison
We discussed how social media and online conversations can sometimes increase stress during assessment periods.
Guidance shared:
• Encourage breaks from revision-related social media content where needed
• Talk openly about unrealistic expectations online
• Help children focus on their own progress rather than others’ achievements
• Monitor signs of overwhelm linked to online conversations or group chats
Parents reflected on how easily comparison can affect confidence and increase feelings of pressure.
Key message:
“Comparison can turn pressure into overwhelm.”
When to seek additional support
We discussed signs that a child may need additional support during periods of stress:
• Persistent anxiety or panic around schoolwork
• Refusal to engage with assessments or revision
• Significant changes in mood, sleep, or appetite
• Physical symptoms linked to stress
• Emotional distress affecting day-to-day functioning
A key reminder was that support is available and that asking for help early can make a significant difference.
Helpful support and community resources
- NHS – Guidance on children and young people’s mental health, including stress and anxiety support
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/children-and-young-adults/mental-health-support/ - YoungMinds – Advice and resources for parents supporting children with stress and anxiety
👉 https://www.youngminds.org.uk/ - Childline – Free, confidential support for children under 19
👉 https://www.childline.org.uk/ - The Mix – Free support for young people under 25
👉 https://www.themix.org.uk/ - Shout 85258 – 24/7 confidential text support service
👉 https://giveusashout.org/ - Samaritans – Listening support available 24/7
👉 https://www.samaritans.org/ - Family Lives – Advice and support for families and emotional wellbeing
👉 https://www.familylives.org.uk/
Key reminder:
Support is available for both children and parents, and families are not expected to manage stress and anxiety alone.
Key Takeaways for Parents and Carers
- Emotional wellbeing is just as important as academic achievement
- Encouragement and reassurance reduce pressure
- Small, manageable routines help children feel more in control
- Calm adult support can greatly reduce anxiety
- Success looks different for every child
Closing message:
“Children are more likely to succeed when they feel supported, not judged.”
Next coffee morning
Topic: Friendships, Boundaries & Belonging
Date: Friday 26th June @ 10:00am
Explore the importance of social connection and emotional safety. Discuss how to support healthy friendships, set boundaries, and nurture a strong sense of identity and belonging.
Thank you for reading
Written by Natalie Hollins,
Parent Support Associate
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