The Straits Times
Republished with Permission
10 January 2026

Even if a child has prepared well for his exam, his performance can be affected if he is unable to manage stress well.

High levels of stress can overload children’s brains, reducing their ability to focus and make it harder to recall information during the exam.

Sometimes it results in physiological symptoms, such as headaches and stomach aches or difficulty sleeping, which can affect a child’s ability to show up in the classroom, said Family Life Specialist and counselling associate June Yong from Focus on the Family Singapore.

Ms Yong is a mother of three children, the youngest of whom just sat the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) in 2025.

“For children, overly high levels of stress can impact their emotional well-being and ability to learn effectively,” she said.

Conversely, when stress levels are kept in check and caregivers play a supportive role in managing stress and academic workload, children are better able to focus, retain information, enjoy learning and approach their studies with confidence, she added.

For the original article, please visit Pick up strategies to manage PSLE stress.