May is SATs season, and for many families, it brings a mix of nerves, revision timetables, and anxious questions. These early assessments are meant to track learning progress – not to cause panic – but they can still feel overwhelming to young children. The stress often spills over into home life, too. Whether it’s your first time navigating SATs, or you’re supporting a younger sibling or grandchild, this guide offers calm, practical advice for helping children feel confident – not pressured – in the lead-up to their tests.
Spotting Signs of Stress in Younger Children
Primary-aged children may not always have the words to explain their feelings, but exam stress can still show up in subtle ways:
- Becoming more irritable or emotional
- Complaining of stomach aches or headaches without a clear cause
- Avoiding school or homework
- Trouble sleeping or changes in appetite
Catching these signs early allows parents to gently open conversations. A calm, non-judgemental chat can help children share what’s bothering them – whether it’s a tricky topic or just general worry about “doing badly.” That said, some children may show no signs at all. If you’re not expressing nervousness yourself, they may well take SATs week in their stride.
Making Learning Enjoyable
The goal during SATs season isn’t to cram – it’s to build confidence. At this age, fun and positive reinforcement go a long way.
- Use games and playful revision activities: Quizzes, memory games, or turning spellings into challenges can lighten the mood.
- Keep sessions short and focused: 10–15 minutes followed by a break is usually enough.
- Praise the effort, not just the outcome: Celebrate when your child tries hard or tackles something tricky, even if the result isn’t perfect.
There’s no need for serious talk about marks – SATs are not life-defining events. Children benefit most from knowing that doing their best matters more than being the best.
Most children will have a preference for either maths or English, but both are important for different reasons. Strong reading and comprehension skills are essential for secondary school, where subject teachers expect pupils to gather information independently. Regardless of SATs results, daily reading should continue – it builds vocabulary, confidence, and general knowledge. You’ll find ideas for encouraging reading and book suggestions in some of my other posts (linked below).
Maths matters too, partly because many secondary schools set pupils by ability, often using SATs scores alongside internal tests. But more importantly, maths builds on earlier knowledge. Without a firm foundation, children can struggle with new concepts. That said, Year 7 maths teachers will revisit key topics, so the most helpful thing your child can do now is focus on the basics – especially times tables. Free practice is available at timestables.co.uk, or your child may already use Times Tables Rock Stars through school.
Creating a Calm Study Environment
You don’t need to create a strict revision timetable, but a little structure helps. With only a week or two to go, the aim is to reinforce what your child already knows – not introduce anything new.
I recommend picking up one Maths and one English CGP SATs Question Book. They’re affordable, child-friendly, and great for getting used to the style of questions:
- KS2 Maths Year 6 SATS Question Book (for the 2025 tests)
- KS2 English Year 6 SATS Question Book (for the 2025 tests)
Other practical tips:
- Choose a regular time for reading or light revision so it becomes part of the daily rhythm. This helps build good homework habits for secondary school.
- Keep a quiet, tidy space for learning. Nothing fancy – just somewhere calm.
- Have materials ready to go (pencils, paper, reading books) to avoid last-minute stress.
Even just sitting nearby while your child works can be comforting. If you have something of your own to read or work on, all the better – they won’t feel like they’re missing out while everyone else relaxes.
Supporting Healthy Habits
Good routines matter as much as any worksheet. A stable home environment gives children the emotional space to handle challenges.
- Make time to play or unwind after school.
- Keep mealtimes calm and pleasant. Let SATs talk wait unless your child brings it up.
- Stick to bedtime routines. Sleep is important for focus and resilience.
- Avoid big disruptions. If possible, delay house guests, family get-togethers, or even birthday celebrations until the weekend.
A few minutes of mindfulness or shared downtime – like listening to music or chatting quietly – can calm nerves. And don’t cancel regular clubs or hobbies. These activities help children decompress, and at this point, extra cramming won’t make a big difference anyway.
The Night Before and Exam Days
The night before a test should be all about winding down and feeling secure – not last-minute revision.
- Help pack their bag the night before so the morning feels calm.
- A warm bath, a favourite story, and an early bedtime all help.
- Avoid screens in the last hour – this makes it easier to fall asleep.
- In the morning, offer a familiar breakfast and leave plenty of time for school.
Most importantly, remind your child that you’re proud of their effort. One test doesn’t define them. There’ll be another tomorrow and another the day after. All they need to do is try their best – that’s all anyone can ask. That quiet confidence from you can make all the difference.
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SATs are just one step in your child’s learning journey. If you’d like to keep the momentum going over the summer, especially when it comes to reading, I’ve put together a selection of themed book lists to help children discover stories they’ll love. Whether they’re mad about animals, fascinated by trains, or drawn to tales of dance or dragons, there’s something here to capture every imagination.
Why not browse the lists together and let your child choose what grabs their interest? It’s a great way to keep reading fun and your child feeling in charge.
- Top Picks: Best Books for 10–13 Year Olds – A handpicked selection of brilliant reads across different genres, perfect for confident readers looking for their next great book.
- Ballet Books for Children – For children who dream of dancing, these graceful and inspiring stories bring ballet to life.
- Pony Books for Children – Ideal for horse lovers, this list is full of tales of friendship, freedom, and adventures in the saddle.
- Dragon Books for Children – Magical, thrilling, and full of fire-breathing fun, these books will captivate fantasy fans.
- Train Books for Children – From steam engines to modern rail adventures, these stories are perfect for kids fascinated by trains.
- Dinosaur Books for Children – Packed with prehistoric excitement, these dinosaur tales are perfect for young explorers and budding palaeontologists.
- Dog Books for Children – Heartwarming, loyal, and full of mischief – just like a good dog. These stories are a treat for animal lovers.
- Cat Books for Children – Mysterious, clever, and always independent – these feline-focused stories are full of charm.
- Shark Books for Children – Dive into stories that are exciting, educational, and just a little bit toothy.
- Wild Animal Books for Children – From the savannah to the rainforest, these books offer a window into the wild for animal enthusiasts.