Question
My 8-year-old son (2nd grade) is having test anxiety at school, or is being labeled that by the school and his mom. He is about half way into the school year and getting D's in math and english. The anxiety is so bad that he even calls home on test days saying he has a upset stomach at school and wants us to come pick him up. He has even thrown up at school. Everyone keeps focusing on his anxiety, and I do not think that is the answer. Even the teachers at school seem to be acknowledging it. We have tried being positive with him, like you're a smart boy, you can do this, etc... And he is smart. He didn't start struggling until this year, did fine in all previous years. I am going to try the idea I read that John mentioned about the doctor saying he needs more sleep and send him to bed after dinner the day before the next test day. He does fine at school on non-test days. I feel like it is not right to keep acknowledging this anxiety issue his mom and teachers keep focusing on. His mom is willing to try this with me as well. We are divorced so it can be challenging getting on the same page with solutions sometimes. I will email the teachers as well and ask they do the same with us and stop acknowledging it. I guess I am just checking to see if the doctor/sleep idea is the correct approach, or should I try something different?
