How to Help Your Child Stay Calm and Confident During SATs Week

Mark Day • 27 April 2026

If your child is approaching KS2 SATs week, it’s completely normal for emotions to run high — not just for children, but for parents too.

Even when schools do their best to keep things calm, many Year 6 pupils still feel pressure around tests. Some worry about getting things wrong. Others become anxious because they can sense the adults around them are worried too. And sometimes, even very capable children can lose confidence simply because SATs feel like a “big deal”.

The good news is that there is a lot parents can do to make the week feel more manageable.

If you’re wondering how to help your child during KS2 SATs, this guide will walk you through some simple, practical ways to reduce stress, build confidence, and support your child emotionally throughout the week.

Remember: SATs Are Only One Part of the Picture

Before anything else, it helps to keep one key message at the centre of the week:

SATs do matter, but they do not define your child.

They are simply a snapshot of how your child is performing at one moment in time. They do not measure kindness, creativity, resilience, humour, curiosity, or potential. And they certainly do not determine a child’s future.

Children often cope better when they know the adults around them believe this too.

1. Keep Home Calm and Predictable

One of the best SATs week tips for parents is surprisingly simple: keep life as steady and calm as possible.

Children feel safer when routines are familiar. During SATs week, try not to overload the schedule with extra revision, late nights, or pressure-filled conversations. A calm home environment can do far more for confidence than one last worksheet.

Helpful things to aim for:

regular bedtimes
a calm morning routine
time to unwind after school
limited pressure around homework or revision
reassurance that effort matters more than perfection

Even small things — like laying out uniform the night before or keeping mornings unhurried — can make a big difference to how a child starts the day.

2. Prioritise Sleep More Than Last-Minute Revision

When children are tired, everything feels harder. Concentration dips, emotions feel bigger, and even questions they normally manage well can suddenly feel overwhelming.

That’s why sleep is often more valuable than squeezing in one more revision session.

In the days leading up to SATs, try to:

stick to a consistent bedtime
reduce screen time before sleep
keep evenings calm and low-stimulation
avoid talking about tests late at night

If your child struggles to switch off, a warm bath, quiet reading time, or simply chatting about their day can help them settle.

A well-rested child is usually a more confident child.

3. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Breakfast

It sounds obvious, but breakfast really matters during SATs week.

Children do not need a “perfect” breakfast — they just need something filling and familiar that helps them feel settled and ready. For some children that might be toast, cereal, porridge, yoghurt, fruit, or eggs. The key is keeping it simple and not introducing anything unusual on test mornings.

If your child is too nervous to eat much, that’s okay too. A banana, a slice of toast, or even a small yoghurt is better than nothing.

What matters most is avoiding a rushed, tense start to the day.

4. Focus on Reassurance, Not Pressure

Many children worry that SATs are a test they can somehow “fail”. They may fear disappointing their teacher, their parents, or themselves.

This is why the language we use matters so much.

Try to keep repeating reassuring messages such as:

“Just do your best.”
“You do not need to be perfect.”
“These tests are only one small part of school.”
“I’m proud of how hard you’ve worked.”
“Your job is just to try.”

These kinds of phrases help children feel safe. They shift the focus away from performance and towards effort, which is where confidence grows.

5. What Not to Say Before a Test

When children are anxious, even well-meaning comments can accidentally add pressure.

Try to avoid saying things like:

“You must concentrate.”
“Don’t make silly mistakes.”
“This is really important.”
“You need to get a good score.”
“Just think how disappointed you’ll be if you rush.”

These phrases may be intended as encouragement, but they often make children more self-conscious and tense.

Instead, try:

“Take your time.”
“Read each question carefully.”
“If one feels tricky, just move on and come back.”
“You know more than you think.”
“One paper does not define you.”

Children perform best when they feel calm enough to think clearly.

6. Confidence Matters as Much as Revision

By SATs week, most of the preparation has already been done. At that point, confidence often matters just as much as knowledge.

A child who walks into school feeling calm, capable, and supported is far more likely to access what they know. But a child who feels panicked or defeated may struggle to show their true ability — even if they revised well.

This is especially true for children who are prone to Year 6 SATs stress. Anxiety can make minds go blank, make questions seem harder than they are, and lead children to doubt answers they would normally trust.

Confidence does not mean feeling zero nerves. It means believing, “I can cope with this.”

That belief is powerful.

7. If a Paper Goes Badly, Don’t Panic

One of the hardest parts of SATs week is when a child comes out of school saying:

“I think I messed it up.”
“That was awful.”
“I got loads wrong.”
“I’m going to fail.”

This is very common. Children are not always accurate judges of how a paper went, especially when emotions are running high.

If your child says they had a bad paper, try to:

stay calm
listen first
avoid immediately analysing the paper
reassure them that one test does not decide everything
shift the focus gently towards the next day

You might say:

“I’m sorry it felt tough.”
“Lots of children feel like that after a test.”
“It’s done now, and you can leave that paper behind.”
“Let’s focus on getting some rest for tomorrow.”

Try not to go over every question in detail unless your child really wants to. For many children, post-test analysis simply keeps the stress going.

Sometimes the kindest thing to do is draw a line under it and move on.

8. Plan Something Positive After School

SATs week should not feel like a week-long build-up of tension. Children need moments of relief too.

After each school day, try to make space for something ordinary and enjoyable:

a walk
time in the garden
a favourite dinner
football at the park
a board game
a film night
an early bedtime with a story

These things remind children that life is still normal, safe, and bigger than tests.

You do not need grand rewards. Just something that helps your child feel relaxed and emotionally reset.

9. Praise Effort, Resilience and Attitude

During SATs week, try to praise the things your child can control:

showing up
trying their best
staying calm
using the strategies they’ve been taught
getting through a tricky paper
bouncing back for the next one

For example:

“I’m proud of how calmly you handled today.”
“You kept going even though it felt difficult.”
“You showed real resilience.”
“That took courage.”

This kind of praise builds emotional strength and helps children see success in a healthier way than just marks or scores.

10. Your Calm Helps Their Calm

Children are incredibly tuned in to adult emotion. Even if we say all the right things, they often notice our tone, facial expressions, and stress levels.

That does not mean you have to be perfectly relaxed. Most parents worry a little. But it does help to be aware of the atmosphere you are creating around the week.

If possible:

avoid discussing your own worries in front of your child
avoid comparing them to siblings or classmates
avoid speaking about SATs as though everything depends on them

The calmer you appear, the safer your child is likely to feel.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for SATs week tips for parents, the most important thing to remember is this:

Your child needs calm, confidence, and reassurance more than they need pressure.

By the time SATs arrive, revision can only do so much. What really helps children perform at their best is feeling rested, supported, and secure enough to trust what they know.

So keep routines steady. Keep your words gentle. Keep perspective.

And above all, remind your child that they are so much more than a score on a piece of paper.

Need Extra Support for SATs Stress or KS2 Confidence?

At Empower Tutoring, we support children with far more than just academic content. We help pupils build confidence, reduce anxiety, and develop the calm, resilient mindset they need to cope with challenges like Year 6 SATs.

If your child would benefit from supportive, one-to-one KS2 tutoring in Waltham Abbey, get in touch to find out how we can help.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

What to Expect in the First Half-Term of Year 7: A Parent’s Guide

by Mark Day • 24 August 2026

Starting secondary school is a major milestone. For many children, the first few days of Year 7 are exciting. There are new classrooms, new teachers, new subjects and often new friends too. But once the first-week excitement has faded, the reality of secondary school can begin to feel more demanding. This is completely normal. The first half-term is a big adjustment. Children are learning how to navigate a larger school, follow a timetable, manage homework and become more independent. Some will settle quickly. Others may need a little more time, reassurance and support. Here is what parents can expect during the first half-term of Year 7 — and how you can help your child feel more confident as they settle in. 1. Your child may be more tired than usual Secondary school days can feel long. Children are concentrating on new lessons, moving around a bigger building, meeting different teachers and remembering new routines. Even children who seem happy at school may come home tired, quiet or a little irritable. This does not always mean that something is wrong. It often means they are using a lot of energy to adjust. Try to keep after-school time calm where possible. A snack, a drink and a little time to relax before homework can make a big difference. Sleep is important too. A consistent bedtime routine can help children feel more rested and ready for the next day. 2. Organisation can be a challenge at first At primary school, children are often reminded about what they need to do. At secondary school, they are expected to remember more for themselves. That might include: checking their timetable bringing the correct books and equipment completing homework remembering PE kit keeping track of school messages getting ready for the next day It can feel like a lot. A simple evening routine can help. Encourage your child to check their timetable, pack their bag and get their uniform ready before bed. A checklist can be useful in the first few weeks. The aim is not to do everything for them. It is to help them build habits they can manage independently over time. 3. Homework may feel different One of the biggest changes in Year 7 is homework. Children may have tasks from several subjects at once. They may need to use a planner, online platform or school app to keep track of deadlines. At first, this can feel overwhelming. Some children will say they have no homework because they have forgotten to write it down. Others may leave it until the last minute because they do not know where to begin. Try to create a regular homework routine. This could mean a short, quiet period after school or after dinner. Keep the space calm and free from distractions if possible. If a task feels large, help your child break it into smaller steps. For example: Read the task carefully. Decide what equipment is needed. Spend ten minutes making a start. Take a short break. Return to it if needed. A little structure can make homework feel far more manageable. 4. Friendships may take time to settle Friendships can change when children move to secondary school. Some children arrive with familiar friends. Others may be placed in tutor groups with children they do not know well. It is common for friendships to shift during the first few weeks. Try not to panic if your child does not immediately have a close friendship group. Making friends takes time. Encourage them to be friendly, join in and speak to different people. Clubs, sports and lunchtime activities can also help children meet others with similar interests. If they are worried about friendships, listen first. Avoid dismissing their concerns, even if they seem small to you. Feeling heard can be very reassuring. 5. Confidence can dip before it grows A child who felt confident in Year 6 may suddenly feel less sure of themselves in Year 7. They are no longer one of the oldest children in school. The work may feel harder. Lessons may move faster. They may be surrounded by new people. This can lead to comments such as: “I’m not good at maths.” “Everyone else understands it.” “I don’t know what I’m doing.” “I hate homework.” Try to remind your child that no one is expected to know everything straight away. The first half-term is about learning how secondary school works. Praise effort, organisation and perseverance, rather than focusing only on results. A child who keeps trying and asks for help is making progress, even when they do not feel confident yet. 6. Keep communication open Many children will not give long answers when asked, “How was school?” Try asking more specific questions instead. For example: What was the best part of your day? Which lesson felt easiest today? Was there anything that felt tricky? Who did you sit with at lunch? What do you need to remember for tomorrow? Is there anything you would like help with? These questions can make it easier for your child to talk. They also give you a clearer sense of how they are settling in. Try to make these conversations feel relaxed rather than like an interrogation. A chat in the car, while cooking dinner or before bed may work better than a formal question-and-answer session. 7. Watch for signs your child may need extra support A difficult day now and then is normal. But it may be worth looking more closely if your child seems unhappy or overwhelmed for several weeks. You may notice that they are: regularly avoiding homework becoming very anxious about school losing confidence in a particular subject struggling to stay organised saying they do not understand the work becoming upset or frustrated by small tasks It can help to speak to the school if you have concerns. Sometimes a small issue can be resolved quickly with the right information or support. For some children, a little extra help outside school can also be useful. A calm, individual approach can give children time to revisit tricky areas, ask questions without pressure and rebuild confidence in key subjects. 8. Give them time to adjust The first half-term of Year 7 is not about getting everything right. It is about settling in. Your child is learning a new routine, a new environment and a new level of independence. There will probably be forgotten books, confusing homework tasks and days that feel more difficult than others. That is all part of the process. Try to focus on small wins. Perhaps they found their way around school without help.Maybe they remembered their PE kit, completed homework independently or spoke to someone new. These small steps build confidence over time. How Secondary Ready tutoring can help The move from Year 6 to Year 7 does not end on the first day of term. For many children, the first half-term is when they begin to notice which subjects feel more challenging and where they need more support. Secondary Ready tutoring can provide a calm bridge between primary school and Year 7. Sessions can help children: strengthen key maths and English skills build confidence in asking questions develop homework and study habits become more organised approach Year 7 work with less stress At Empower Tutoring in Waltham Abbey, Essex , support is tailored to the child. The aim is not to add pressure. It is to help children feel more secure, capable and ready to make the most of secondary school. Just get in touch if you would like to find out more about tutoring support in Year 7. Some Final thoughts Starting Year 7 is a big change. It is normal for children to feel excited one day and unsure the next. The most helpful thing parents can offer is calm support, realistic expectations and time to adjust. With the right routines, encouragement and a little help when needed, most children grow in confidence as the weeks go by.