As the school year winds down and the desert heat starts to climb, Crane Schools students are gearing up for one of the most important stretches of the academic calendar — end-of-year testing. Whether your child is sitting for the AzSCI, AzM2, or other state assessments, this time of year can bring a mix of nerves, fatigue, and distraction for students of all ages.
The good news? Parents play a huge role in how well their children perform. You don’t need to be a teacher to make a real difference. Here’s how you can set your child up for success.
# 1. Prioritize Sleep Above All Else
A well-rested brain is a sharp brain. During testing weeks, make sleep your family’s top priority. School-age children need 9–11 hours per night, and even one late night can affect focus, memory, and mood the next day.
- Set a consistent bedtime at least a week before testing begins.
- Limit screen time in the hour before bed — the blue light from phones and tablets disrupts sleep quality.
- Keep the bedroom cool and dark, especially important in Yuma’s warming spring evenings.
# 2. Send Them Off with Breakfast or send them early to have enough time to eat at school.
Testing days are not the mornings for a rushed granola bar in the car. A nutritious breakfast with protein and complex carbohydrates gives your child sustained energy and concentration throughout the exam.
Some quick, brain-friendly options:
- Eggs with whole-grain toast
- Oatmeal with fruit and a glass of milk
- Peanut butter on whole wheat with a banana
Try to have your child eat at least 30 minutes before school so they arrive settled and ready to focus.
# 3. Keep the Home Environment Calm
Children are incredibly perceptive — they pick up on stress at home. If *you’re* anxious about the tests, they will be too. Do your best to keep conversations about testing matter-of-fact and positive.
Instead of saying: *“These tests are really important — you have to do well.”*
Try: *“Just do your best and show what you know. We’re proud of you no matter what.”*
A calm morning routine — same wake-up time, same breakfast, same drop-off — signals to your child that today is manageable, not overwhelming.
# 4. Ease Up on Extracurriculars
Talk to your child’s teacher if you’re unsure what to expect, but in general, testing weeks are a good time to lighten the load wherever possible. If your child has a packed after-school schedule, consider scaling back late practices or activities so they have time to decompress, eat a good dinner, and get to bed on time.
Rest and recovery after a long day of focused testing is just as important as preparation.
# 5. Avoid Last-Minute Cramming
By the time testing week arrives, the learning has already happened. Late-night studying the evening before a test tends to increase anxiety rather than improve scores. Instead, encourage your child to do a light review if they feel like it — no more than 15–20 minutes — and then switch to something relaxing.
Reading a book together, going for an evening walk along the canal, or playing a calm game as a family can do far more for their mindset than a frantic study session.
# 6. Talk About Test Anxiety
It’s normal to feel nervous before a big test. Normalize those feelings by talking about them openly. Let your child know that butterflies are a sign that they care — and that’s a good thing.
Teach a simple strategy they can use during the test if anxiety spikes:
**Box Breathing:** Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, exhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts. Repeat twice. It genuinely works, and even young children can learn it.
# 7. Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results
When testing is done, celebrate the hard work — not the score. Take your child out for a treat, acknowledge how seriously they took the challenge, and remind them of how much they’ve grown this year.
At Crane Schools, we believe every student in Yuma deserves to feel proud of their effort and be supported every step of the way. Test scores are one small snapshot of your child’s learning journey — your encouragement is what shapes the whole picture.
Have questions about end-of-year assessments at Crane Schools? Contact your child’s teacher or visit the front office — we’re always here to help.