WHAT WE CAN DO AS CARING ADULTS
One single exam cannot possibly measure the entire value of a person, but this might not be evident from where the children are standing. It’s up to parents to put the weight of exams into perspective for them.
This brings us back to good old Goldilocks: Not too much – grades of 12-year-olds don’t often come into play when adults apply for jobs. Not too little – grades still matter insofar as they open up possibilities for the next phase of academic life.
What does just right look like? Changing the mindset of PSLE as the be-all and end-all will require a whole-system approach. Even with the new PSLE scoring taking into account the individual’s achievement, regardless of how their peers performed, teachers, principals and parents can emphasise personal improvement, rather than comparison with others.
It could also entail parents modelling good self-care techniques at home, reminding children of what they can control, breaking big topics down into digestible chunks, and most importantly, reminding them they are worthy of love and capable of contributing to society, regardless of their PSLE results.
It is our child’s job to be responsible for their studies, but it is our job to help them take a step back and see the big picture. There may be 12 days to go till this one exam among many, but there are so many more days to learn, explore and grow, after it.
June Yong is the Lead of Insights at Focus on the Family Singapore.
