Testing makes a lot of children nervous and uncomfortable. Here are a number of ways to help students through this difficult time:

1. Tell students to take deep breaths.
2. Have a motto for your class. Something they will repeat when they feel stressed.
3. Develop a “tell” between you and the student with the difficulty.
4. Crunchy and chewy snacks help.

Helping Children Cope with Tragedy” Jeff Heinz: New York, NY

• Listen to children’s concerns without interrupting.
• In a patient and reasonable tone, reassure them that they are safe.
• Explain what happened and try not to disguise or avoid it.
• Note that this is something done by some bad people and that most people can be trusted.
• Emphasize that the victims did not deserve to be hurt, especially when it’s a hate crime.
• Talk to children about telling an adult when someone is behaving in cruel ways.
• Say that such events are rare and unusual.