Be calm, positive and reassuring and put the whole thing into perspective. They can always take an exam again.

Help them revise by re-arranging the family's schedules and priorities. Be lenient about chores and untidiness, give them a break and understand lost tempers and moodiness.

It's never too late to study, revise or ask for help.

Bribes or presents conditional on getting high grades aren’t the best way to help young people. It’s far better to encourage them to work for their own satisfaction and schedule small and frequent rewards for effort.

Make sure they have a comfortable place to work – and accept that some people CAN revise better with loud music or the TV on in the corner!

Get them ready for an exam. Encourage them to get all their pens and pencils ready the night before and try to get them to go to bed at a reasonable time. On the day of the exam, try to organise a special breakfast and go through a check list with them to make sure they have everything they need.

As each exam is finished, let them voice their worries and expectations, but also encourage them to let go and focus on getting through the next exam or next event, whilst listening out for any underlying serious problems.

Mark the ending of exams with a celebration, so that whatever result they get they have at least been valued and praised for having done their best.

These ten tips can help you recognize the signs of stress and prevent an overload of stress in young people.

Recognize that children handle stress in different ways. Some show a regression in behavior – acting younger, more fearful, clingier. Outbursts of anger and aggression are also signals at all ages. A child or teen who withdraws or who seems constantly sad or has trouble sleeping or shows significant changes in appetite may also be showing signs of stress.

Encourage conversation. Look for opportunities to ask about feelings and opinions. Some of the best conversations happen in a car with the radio, CD player and cell phone off.

Think about your own reactions – are you feeling very stressed and is that being communicated to children? Find ways to relax yourself so that you can stay calm for them.

Look for creative ways to deal with stress. For younger children, puppets may help them act out their feelings. Teens could be encouraged to write their thoughts in a journal or diary. Reading books together not only provides valuable family time, but also gives everyone a deeper understanding of world events. Realizing how a character (real or fictional) coped with a disaster, war or difficulty can give lessons that can be emulated.

Plan for some exercise or sports activities that can be done together to release tension. From walking to swimming, biking or skating, getting everyone to move more makes a big difference in mental outlook as well.

Try to acknowledge how a child may feel. Taking a child’s or teen’s concerns seriously, rather than minimizing them, builds a foundation for more open communication.

Answer questions honestly, and share what is age appropriate.

Don’t make a promise that you can’t keep. You can’t tell your child that a natural disaster or terrorist attack will never affect your family or group. You can say that the chances are very small and that you will do whatever you can to keep everyone safe.

Keep tabs on what children are viewing and hearing – at home and at school. Know when to pull the plug on TV, and radio. When the news is on, try to view it together so you can discuss what you have seen and heard.